For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:26 (KJV)

 The recent security breach of the million dollar merchant, Target, has left many of us extremely nervous concerning identity theft.   It has become a lucrative business as personal information is illegally accessed and sold to the highest bidder whose intent is to defraud and swindle.   It is an event we pray never happen to us.   Similarly, theft of our spiritual identity can be a costly event. 

 The identity thief, in this case, is Satan.  Our true identity was established in the Garden of Eden.  There man was created in the image of God and shared unbroken fellowship with the Father.  He was given authority over all creation and total access to limitless resources (Gen. 1:28).  That was God’s identity for man—beloved creature and ruler—until his identity was “stolen” through deceit and deception.    Satan took man’s glorious identity, given by God the Creator, and robbed him of his “good name”, leaving him “spiritual bankrupt.”   Why is spiritual identity important?

First, our spiritual identity “in Christ Jesus” connects us to our source of life, God the Father.  In Christ Jesus” we are reconciled to God.  Now we are “children of God” and His “son” (John 1:12; Rom. 8:14).  Understanding our spiritual identity, we can access those rights and privileges that are rightfully our “birthright”.   Our identity, which was loss in the garden, was restored at the Cross.

 Secondarily, our spiritual identity “in Christ Jesus” replaces the distorted view we have of ourselves communicated by Satan and the world, and through unhealthy attachments and relationships.  It is here that we develop “false identities” of who we are.  These false identities leave us broken hearted and emotionally damaged.  God’s truth, our identity in Christ Jesus, is needed to replace the lies we believe (John 8:32; 10:13).

 God, in His mercy and love, sent Jesus to retrieve and strengthen our true identity that was stolen in the Garden.  “In Christ Jesus” we have been given a new name and new blessings to be enjoyed now through eternity.   Our true identity is now safe and secure, “theft resistant” because of that which Christ accomplished on the Cross.

 Good to the Last Byte…

Want to take back your identity?  REJECT Satan’s attacks on our identity in Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).  RENOUNCE Satan’s presence and power over you (James 4:7).   RECKON yourself dead to sin but alive to God (Rom. 6:11).   Actively engage in proclaiming and pursuing your true identity in Christ.  

“…bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you,  so you also must do.”   Col. 3:13 (KJV)

  To forgive is not easy.  It’s antithesis, unforgiveness, is usually  entwined with the emotions we felt (or still feel) during the original offense–anger, shame, or fear.  Regardless, it is still an expectation of God that we forgive (Matt. 6:14-15). 

 In the parable of the unmerciful servant, Jesus makes the point that human beings are obligated to forgive because God has forgiven them (Matt. 18:23-35).  Jesus contrasts the “forgiving” heart of the father in the prodigal son story with the “unforgiving” older son.  It is a study in the stubborn refusal to forgive that is characterized by hardness, a demand for revenge, and arrogance.  Unforgiveness often causes as much pain as the original offense. The older son’s self-justified indignation and smugness “over being right” was causing just as much pain and separation between himself and his father as was caused by his younger brother. 

 It has been said that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.  The damaging effect of unforgiveness is seen not only in the emotional and physical health of people but also in their broken relationship with others and God.  Forgiveness is an act of the will (versus what we feel) and as believers, we are to forgive as an act of love and obedience to the Lord (John 14:15).

 Refusal to forgive indicates a rebellious, stubborn heart that has “not drunk deeply of the water of grace and mercy at the well of God’s forgiveness” (Luke 7:47). While forgiveness is not easy, God has provided His Spirit within us to show us how we can be freed from the death grip of unforgiveness.  Ask Him to set you free.

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world. even our faith.” 1 John 5:4

The vision of In the Word Ministries is: “Equipping People to Live Victoriously.” Victorious doesn’t mean that, as believers we walk around oblivious to the challenges of this life. Nor does it mean that we don’t experience discouragement or disappointment. Living victorious involves an acknowledgement that God has provided us that “special power” to sustain us through our darkest hour so that we finish our race well (2 Timothy 4:7).

I heard a minister comment that believers should never be in despair. Despair indicates a point where there is no hope … no way out. Whether I agree with his point of view isn’t important but I do know these two things. Satan using negative circumstances (problems) in our life to: (1) weaken our trust in God and, 2) ruin our testimony. We don’t like problems. They are uncomfortable, inconvenient. and unnerving. But Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

“Tribulations” are those negative circumstances that cause us problems and pain. Tribulations can range from relationships that don’t work to misfortune that persists. “The world” is the physical realm in which we operate. ‘It is the social system including its various economies and influences. Now when Jesus tells us to be of “good cheer.” what exactly does He mean? And what does it mean to be an overcomer?

“Be of good cheer” infers that the believer can find confidence in an outcome which God has already seen in their life. There are no surprises. He makes all things work together for good and His purpose (Rom. 8:28)–even those “things” which aren’t of His initial choosing.

“I have overcome” is a strong declaration by Jesus that, His work of the Cross has proven His ability to bring into His control those things that might be overwhelming to us. The verb tense is one showing completed action–I have “already” overcome. It is a completed action that is now ours to take. He knows what concerns us and how to deliver us (2 Peter 2:9).

Knowing the end of a story often helps to relieve the stress of anticipating its outcome. Revelation 12:11 gives us the closing chapter on Satan and all problems he causes in “this world”. In the end, God overcomes and solidifies our ultimate triumph. So next time you come across a problem that appears to be winning “the battle,” remember who has already “won the war.”