The Holy Spirit

Meeting the Holy Spirit Series: What will we do with the Holy Spirit? Epilogue

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What will we do with the Holy Spirit?

What have we learned?

The Holy Spirit is God.  While it is important to understand the unique purpose of each member of the Trinity, it is especially true with regard to the critical role the Holy Spirit plays in the believer’s daily faith walk.

The Holy Spirit’s work as the third person of the Trinity is, not only, to make known God the Father and Jesus Christ, but also to continue the work of salvation in the life of believers.  Most important being achieving God’s purpose in their life.

It is the Holy Spirit who can accomplish the transformational work of sanctification in our lives.  Only the Holy Spirit can change us from “the inside out” (Phil. 1:6). As we grow in the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, we develop a personal relationship with God’s Spirit.  The more time we spend with Him, the more we begin to look like Him—being conformed to Jesus’ image (Rom. 8:29).

Our conversion can, however, be hindered by our quenching or grieving the Spirit.  What are those behaviors, habits, or thoughts that we continue to hold on to that impede our relationship with God?  Unforgiveness, cravings of the flesh, and/or pride in our achievements and possessions?

Life lived in the Spirit

We would do well to be intentional in submitting to God and in acknowledging His presence in our lives.  Life for believers is to be lived coram Deo:  In the presence of, under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God.

This life cannot be lived in our power or our strength (Rom. 7:22-25).  It is ONLY THROUGH the Holy Spirit’s filling that we can live holy and righteous lives (Phil. 4:13).  And the result of that filling is an abundant life evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Gal. 5:22-23, KJV).

The Holy Spirit living within us leads, guides, and empowers us to accomplish the purpose which God pre-ordained before the foundations of the world (1 Pet. 1:20).  He ensures God’s will is realized in our lives.  He will always lead us in the way that results in God’s purpose.  As the Spirit occupies more of our life, we receive “exceeding great and precious promises that are ours as partakers of God’s divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4).

What will we do with the Holy Spirit?

In this study, we recommended several books to expand our “head knowledge” about the third person of the Godhead.  More importantly, we pray that we have created a greater desire for a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.

We begin that relationship through reading and meditating on God’s Word.  God’s Word and the Holy Spirit are the only means by which we can understand God’s will.  It is the Holy Spirit who speaks to our spirit.  It may be felt as a gentle nudging, counsel from a Christian friend, or even a closed door to an opportunity.  The Holy Spirit is always there to lead us to God’s purpose and our destiny.

We close with this recommendation from the great theologian and teacher, the late Dr. Charles F. Stanley from His book, The Spirit-filled Life:  Discover the Joy of Surrendering to the Holy Spirit.

A Spirit-filled life is a life of dependency on and sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Distinguishing him from the messages around us is no easy task. But it is essential for our survival. And it is essential for the survival of the church.  

Within you is housed the power necessary to face whatever life throws your way, for you are a recipient of the life of Christ. Through the person of the Holy Spirit, He longs to express his life through your personality, your lips and your hands. You have been granted the incredible privilege of being his representative on earth.

What will we do with the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit

Meeting the Holy Spirit: From Head to Heart, Part 2

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From Head to Heart, Part 2

A transformative relationship.

To move the Holy Spirit from head to heart, we need a personal relationship with Him.  With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we begin that relationship that will end with us being conformed to the image of Christ (sanctification).

Conforming to Christ’s image is God’s desire for us.  It is where our transformative relationship begins (Rom. 8:29).  We as believers cannot accomplish sanctification.  It is the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit.  We can, however, help or hinder His work in us.  It is important that we cooperate with the Holy Spirit. 

What does the relationship look like?

Our relationship with the Spirit begins with letting the Holy Spirit fill us with His mind.  Warren Wiersbe, noted theologian and teacher, gives insight into how our relationship with the Holy Spirit should operate.

It is not enough for us to have the Spirit; the Spirit must have us! Only then can He share with us the abundant, victorious life that can be ours in Christ. We have no obligation to the flesh, because the flesh has only brought trouble into our lives. We do have an obligation to the Holy Spirit, for it is the Spirit who convicted us, revealed Christ to us, and imparted eternal life to us when we trusted Christ. Because He is “the Spirit of Life,” He can empower us to obey Christ, and He can enable us to be more like Christ.[1]

Our personal relationship with the Holy Spirit requires that we empty ourselves OF OURSELVES.  Then there is room for the filling of the Holy Spirit.   Through His filling, we receive His power, His truth, His wisdom, and His love.  Over time, our relationship with the Holy Spirit will begin to “squeeze out” things of this world and the flesh.  Our desire for things “eternal” will take priority (Psa. 27:4).  Our decisions and behaviors will reflect the Spirit’s presence in our life (good fruit).

It’s all about the right perspective.

As we attempt to “find our voice” and “discover who we are”, we might lose sight as to our real purpose in life, which can only be defined by God (Eph.2:20).   The Holy Spirit helps us with our perspective.  He is our Helper.  He helps us to be who God created us to be. “God wants to lead you to places you cannot get to without Him, and He does that by the power of His Spirit.”[2]

[1] Warren Wiersbe, “To Be Series”.

[2] Stormie Omartian, Lead Me, Holy Spirit:  Longing to Hear the Voice of God.

The Holy Spirit

Meeting the Holy Spirit: What I Learned AFTER Sunday School

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What I Learned AFTER Sunday School

What I never learned in Sunday School.

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church at the ripe old age of nine years old.  Although I can’t remember the circumstances leading to that decision, I do have my certificate of baptism to prove it.  We ALWAYS attended Sunday School at the Epps House.  We weren’t given a choice!  It was Sunday School until we either married or went off to college.  Looking back, that was pretty much the rule for most of the families in the community of Quindaro.

I later realized that although I attended Sunday School and church every week, I knew a lot about God, but only a thimbleful about the Holy Spirit.  I didn’t understand how the Holy Spirit helped me in my walk with Jesus.  Hey, I was only nine!

It would be much later in my life (forty something) that I would better understand that without the Holy Spirit, I would not be able to become the person God had designed me to be (Jer. 29:11).  It is what I learned after Sunday School that made the difference.

How the Holy Spirit enters our life.

There are many scriptures in the New Testament that describe the ministries of the Holy Spirit.  The most informative, for me, is found in the Gospel of John.  It is here that Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, who will abide with His Disciples forever (John 14:16-17).  And that same promise is ours today!

The work of the Spirit is described in greater detail in John 16:5-15.  In this chapter we are introduced to His role in God’s plan of salvation.

And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment: about sin [and the true nature of it], because they do not believe in Me [and My message]; about righteousness [personal integrity and godly character], because I am going to My Father and you will no longer see Me. (John 16:8-10, Amplified)

The Holy Spirit exposes our personal sin and our need for a Savior (conviction).  Jesus Christ is the “perfect sacrifice” to atone for our sin (redemption).  Then the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, making possible our new birth (regeneration).  We are now ready to begin our faith walk (transformation). It is here that we become conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29).

The Spirit transforms our life.

Conforming to the image of Christ begins with sanctification.  According to Webster, sanctification is defined as:

  1. the state of being sanctified or made holy
  2. the state of growing in divine grace as a result of Christian commitment after baptism or conversion

To sanctify means “to make holy.” We cannot share the holiness of God’s essential nature, but God does call us to be holy (1 Pet. 1:15-16).  As we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and obey God’s Word, we “grow in divine grace” and are “set apart” to serve God.  Our fleshly desires, the world’s influence, and Satan’s deception, no longer hold sway over our lives (Rom. 6:11).

Sanctification is a “transformational process” that will not end until we reach eternity.  Every day we learn to trust the Holy Spirit to guide and direct; to inform our prayers; to illuminate the Bible.  The Holy Spirit is the POWER OF GOD that changes lives.  THAT’S what I learned after Sunday School!

The Holy Spirit

Meeting the Holy Spirit: From Head to Heart, Part 1

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From Head to Heart

From Head to Heart

Last week we discussed the value of experiential versus intellectual knowledge, as we develop a personal relationship with the Lord.  Each day, we should grow in our knowledge of the Lord (2 Pet. 3:18).  When we do, we begin to move God from our head to our heart.

How do we do that?  By reading God’s Word.  This is His primary way of communicating with us.  God’s Word is “living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.”  (Hebrews 4:12, Amplified).

Although we may not hear God audibly, God does speak to us through His Holy Spirit.  HIS Spirit speaks to OUR spirit.  How well we hear Him is determined by, “are we trying to hear” (are we tuned in?) and “are we trying to listen” (is the volume turned up?)

The Spirit speaks

The Holy Spirit has always existed.  As the third person of the Godhead, He was present during the creation of the world (Genesis 1:2). However, in the early Scriptures, the Spirit does not emerge as a “distinct personality”.

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was most commonly designated as “of God” or “of the Lord”.  The Holy Spirit appears as God’s agent of creation, a mode of God’s interacting with humans (Gen. 6:3), God’s agent of revelation (Gen. 41:38; Num. 24:2), and a mode of empowering select leaders of God’s people such as Moses and Joshua (Num. 11:17-29; 27:18).[1]

 In the books of Judges, Samuel, and Kings, supernatural activities of the Spirit begin to appear. We see God’s Spirit now emerging upon significant individuals such as judges, prophets, and kings.  He becomes an energizing power, temporarily equipping leaders for physical prowess and military victory.

In the writings of the prophets, additional insights about the Holy Spirit are disclosed as they share a future time when the Spirit would empower all God’s followers through the creation of a “new spiritual community”.  Most notable of these prophetic descriptions of the Holy Spirit’s ministry are found in Isaiah (Isa. 32:15; 34:16) and Ezekiel (Ezek. 36:24-27).  One of the most notable is Joel 2:28-32, which Peter quotes at Pentecost (Acts 2:17-21).

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit begins to dominate the theology and experience of the major New Testament witnesses.  Throughout the gospel, the work of the Holy Spirit is acknowledged and celebrated.  It begins with the Immaculate Conception (Luke 1:35), the anointing of Jesus (Matt.3:11) and concludes with the resurrection of Christ by God’s Spirit (Rom. 8:11).

It’s Personal Now

We are so fickled!  We are easily impressed by the hottest fad, the newest technology, and the latest pop-culture entertainment!  How foolish we are if we desire the things this world has to offer (1 John 2:17).  None can compare with God and His gift of the Holy Spirit.

Unlike the Old Testament saints who experienced a temporary anointing of God’s Spirit, we now have Deity dwelling within us, 7 by 24, 365 days a year (2 Tim. 1:14).  It’s personal now! The Holy Spirit is speaking!  Are we listening?

[1] Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, “Holy Spirit”, 344.

The Holy Spirit

Meeting the Holy Spirit: Rediscovering the Spirit of God

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Rediscovering the Holy Spirit

Knowledge is power but experience is better!

In a world that has marginalized the need for church and things of God, it may seem like a waste of time to learn more about the Holy Spirit.  If information “is needed”, one may choose to go to the web or AI and answer any questions they might have.

But knowledge of something (intellectual or cognitive knowledge) is quite different from experiencing something for yourself.  Imagine, your knowledge of a famous entertainer or sports figure such as Patrick Mahomes or Stevie Wonder (I’m dating myself and it’s ok).  It is one thing to know all of Stevie Wonder’s songs and his personal rise to fame, however, it is quite another to experience time with him as his personal guest in New York (I like New York).

The value of our knowledge of God—His ways and works—is more than a “head exercise”.  It is all about “relationship’’.  It is important to know as much as possible about the One we want to be in relationship with.  Do we want that connection with God?  If our answer is yes, then, time spent learning about Him is valuable and rewarding.

How can we grow in the knowledge of God?

First and foremost, the only way we can know God is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).  It is the Son of God and His finished work on Calvary, that makes it possible to be united (or reunited) with God since man’s fall in the Garden (Genesis 3).

During Christ’s ministry, it was His goal to not only redeem man from sin but to also reveal the heart and nature of God.  During the Old Testament dispensations, God’s ways were not generally shared with Israel.  Mediators, such as judges, priest, and prophets, were how God shared His thoughts and purposes.

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, He provided access to Himself and the Father.  That access would be possible, not through the Internet nor through AI, but through the Holy Spirit, Who indwells each of us who have accepted the offer of Jesus’ salvation (John 14:17).

Why is this important and relevant for today?

Our view of God is key to our reality.  It determines our worldview—what we think and how we behave.  “Thinking right” about the Holy Spirit needs to be included in that reality.

The church today desperately needs to rediscover the true person and work of the Holy Spirit. The third member of the Trinity has been grossly misrepresented, insulted, and grieved by a counterfeit movement that is being propagated in his name.

It is high time for those who love the Holy Spirit to take a bold stand and confront any error that blatantly and blasphemously dishonors the spirit of God. If we are to honor the Holy Spirit, treating Him with the reverence and respect that is His royal due, we must rightly discern His true ministry—aligning our hearts, mind, and wills with His wonderous work[1]

What’s next?

For the next few weeks, we will focus on “thinking right” (correct doctrine) about the Holy Spirit.  As important, we will identify ways we can better experience the Holy Spirit in our daily life.

The Holy Spirit is always with us.  He is a gift to us from our heavenly Father (Acts 2:38).  I close with this teaching by Charles Spurgeon on the importance of developing a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Do not ignore the presence of the Holy Spirit in your soul. I beseech you, do not live as if you had not heard whether there were any Holy Spirit.  To Him period pay your constant adorations. Reverence the august Guest Who has been pleased to make your body His sacred abode. Love Him, obey Him, worship Him.[2]

[1] The True Work of the Holy Spirit, John MacArthur.

[2]  “The Paraclete”, Charles Spurgeon.

The Holy Spirit

Meet the Holy Spirit: A Proper Introduction

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A Proper Introduction

Our discussion on “surrender” has raised new interest in a topic WordBytes has “directly” addressed only ten times since our first publication in 2010.   Although each bible teaching makes mention of the works of this person, I have failed to dedicate a study about Them.

Who is it?  The Holy Spirit!  My failure was not my belief that teaching about the Holy Spirit wasn’t important.  On the contrary, I wrongly supposed that everyone knew everything about the Holy Spirit.  Faulty assumption!

Therefore, for the next few weeks, I’m going to dedicate time to reintroduce us to the Holy Spirit.  It is my prayer that at the end of this series, we will desire to draw closer to God after learning about His Spirit (Psa. 42:1-2). Why is this important?  As we will learn, the Holy Spirit is vital for victorious living and kingdom building.   That’s why we need a “proper introduction”.

The Holy Spirit of Pentecost

This month we celebrated Pentecost in churches across the nation and around the world.  With Christ’s completed work of salvation—His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—the promised Holy Spirit would come and dwell within us (Acts 2).

It was the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence that would enable Jesus’ disciples to continue the work He had begun. Pentecost marked the availability of the Holy Spirit to everyone who would “call upon the name of Jesus” (Rom. 10:13).

While we may know about the various ministries of the Holy Spirit, it is even more important to fully grasp the enormity of His Presence within us. Deity is living within us! I love the way Jesus described this phenomenon: “I (Jesus) in them (Believers) and You (God) in me, (so) that they may be made perfect in one” (John 17:23).

Like the disciples on the day of Pentecost we need the Holy Spirit’s power and direction as we live for God’s glory. We are invited to join with the Triune God in Their ministry of deliverance, wholeness, and grace (Eph. 2:10).

God wants to lead you to places you cannot get to without Him, and He does that by the power of His Spirit. He can bring you into the realm of the miraculous—not as a show, but as a demonstration of His love and compassion for the lost, hurting, or needy. Who among us doesn’t want or need that?[1]

Another like the Other

In anticipation of His departure, Jesus promised the disciples “another Comforter” (allon parakletos)—another of the same kind to aid (John 14:16).  The Holy Spirit would represent God to the disciples as Jesus did in his incarnate state.

The Holy Spirit would direct the disciple’s decisions, counsel them continually, and remain with them forever.  Jesus knew the heart of His disciples and the importance of His presence in their life.  That same Comforter now dwells within each of us who are in Christ (Eph. 1:13).

Jesus knew that, even in the 21st century, we would need the loving reassurance of His presence.  With the uncertainty of the world we live in, it is comforting to know that we are never outside the watchful eye of God IN ADDITION to being indwelt by the very presence of Jesus, who is the Holy Spirit living within us.

“The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God and

the Church is famishing (starving) for want of His Presence.”

                                                  A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

God never changes and His promises are still true—”He will never leave or forsake us” (Gen. 28:15).   We are never out of God’s watchful eye or reach.

[1] Stormie Omartian, Lead Me, Holy Spirit:  Longing to Hear the Voice of God.

Our Faith Walk

Clarion Word Classics: The Dangers of a Shallow Faith

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What are Clarion Word Classics?

The Clarion Word Classics (CWC) is a learning series WordBytes has launched to share faith writings that will strengthen and enrich our spiritual lives and faith walk.  Some of our classics come from sage theologians.  Others introduce contemporary writers who offer spiritual answers to the challenges of 21st century living.

The word “clarion” comes from the Latin word that means “clear”.  Used as an adjective, it means “loud and clear”.  Our intent with this quarterly series is to make “loud and clear” what is ours in Christ (Rom. 8:17) and the relevancy of our faith for this present generation (Matt. 24:34).

This quarter CWC, will introduce A.W. Tozer, a self-taught theologian, pastor, and writer whose powerful use of words continues to grip the intellect and stir the soul of today’s believer.  He has authored more than 40 books, the best known are The Pursuit of God and The Knowledge of the Holy.  The Dangers of a  Shallow Faith is a never-before-published compilation.

How does it connect with our faith walk?

Lethargy is a lingering tiredness that is constant and limiting. Spiritual lethargy may be defined as a state of indifference or inertia with regard to one’s own spiritual growth and vitality.

The Apostle Paul urged the Thessalonians to avoid succumbing to spiritual lethargy: “so then let us not sleep as others do but let us be alert and sober” (1 Thess. 5:6).

Tozer describes this condition well: “there is little communion and little joy in the Lord. To have a cold heart with little pity, little fire, little love and little worship is spiritual lethargy.”[1] 

Some of the most common symptoms include any combination of the following:

  • Chronic indulgence in sinful thoughts and actions
  • Little or no desire to pray
  • Engagement in exclusively Christ-less entertainment
  • Avoidance of personal accountability
  • Decreased appetite for Bible study
  • Selfish and materialistic orientation
  • Reluctant and sporadic church attendance

Spiritual lethargy renders us “unserviceable” in God’s Kingdom.  Deceived by Satan’s lies, tempted by the world, and weakened in our flesh, we are, as the mothers of the church would say, “no earthly good.”  Satan’s most successful strategy is not to kill our faith but to silence our witness.

Tozer’s insights

Tozer urges us to be aware of the times in which we live.  We are to “gird the loin of our mind, be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:13).   While Tozer’s dangers were centered on the evangelical church, its application is “spot on” for us individually as we move from “glory to glory” in our walk of faith (2 Cor. 3:18).

In the Word Ministries provides CWC in our effort to “inspire authentic communities of faith, fellowship, and learning.”  It is in that spirit that we share this book.  This is not an endorsement or agreement with the views shared.  Here is an introductory reading  from The Dangers of a Shallow Faith:  Awakening from Spiritual Lethargy. 

[1] The Dangers of a Shallow Faith:  Awakening from Spiritual Lethargy. 

Our Faith Walk

Our Faith Walk: Who are You? Part 2

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Who are You? Part 2

Identity in crisis

Last week we presented identity as the set of characteristics that constitutes individual personality.  It is influenced by both internal and external factors.  Our identity is dynamic, in that it can be influenced by situations and circumstances that surround us.  Therefore, our identity is to be carefully guarded and protected.  This is especially true when we consider our spiritual identity (Prov. 4:23).

It is difficult to maintain our identity in Christ while living amid the 21st century.  Temptations offered by Satan, the influence of worldview, and the weakness of our human flesh, create conditions for a “perfect storm” that can negatively impact our walk of faith.  Considering these tests, how can we protect our identity in Christ?

A Change in Identity

Why do people change their identity?  Because of change.

Human beings have a complicated relationship with change. While it is both inevitable and essential for growth, change can also be deeply uncomfortable — especially if it feels involuntary, or out of our control.

As researchers focused on social change, we’ve spent the last ten years studying how people react to drastic changes in their lives. We’ve conducted hundreds of interviews with people who lost a desired identity, such as former white-collar professionals forced to move into lower-status careers, as well as with people trying to shed an undesirable or stigmatized identity, such as former prisoners working to reintegrate themselves in their communities.

Interestingly, regardless of whether the changes were ostensibly positive or negative, many of the people we talked to struggled to move on from their past identities and embrace their new selves. This feeling of stuck-ness — a phenomenon we call identity paralysis — often left people feeling angry, frustrated, and hopeless about their current situations.[1]

Changes in identity are normal and to be expected.  We live in a world of constant flux.  However, it is important to embrace those identity traits that best accomplish the plan and purpose God has for our lives (Jer. 29:11).   Why?  Because our identity influences how we live our life!

Our Behavior follows our Identity

Behavior and identity are linked.  In the Old Testament, God continually warned His people to remember who they were and their covenant relationship with Jehovah (Deut. 6:4-9).  God knew that their identification with the wrong things and people would affect their faithfulness.  They would be drawn away from the plan and purpose God had for their life (Deut. 8:11).  The same is true for us today.

In the New Testament, especially in the writings of the Apostle Paul, the Church in its infancy was continually reminded of their “new identity in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17).  Ministering in countries that didn’t worship God nor honor the teaching of Jesus would be challenging.   Their worldview would be very different, just as it is today in the 21st century (1 John 1:7).

Paul’s exceptional testimony of his previous identity as an Orthodox Jew, speaks to the transforming power of Christ to change our identity.  It is probably the most thorough testimony in Scripture.

Circumcised when I was eight days old, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews [an exemplary Hebrew]; as to the [observance of the] Law, a Pharisee; as to my zeal [for Jewish tradition], a persecutor of the church; and as to righteousness [supposed right living] which [my fellow Jews believe] is in the Law, I proved myself blameless. But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life].  (Phil. 3: 5-7, Amplified) 

Paul’s identity changed his behavior and his life forever.  What can we say about Jesus’ entry into our lives and the change it has made in our identity?

Do we know who we are?

Our identity is founded in Christ Jesus.  It has been revealed in both His living Word and reflected in His love for us.  It is based on a firm foundation that is eternal and abides forever (Ep. 1:4).  Jesus has made it possible for us to become partakers of God’s grace and power.  Knowing our identity, we can hold firm our “confession of faith without wavering” (Heb. 10:23).

CAUTION:  If we as believers are unable to accept the identity God has communicated to us, we need to enter a time of prayer and examination as to why we choose not to believe God (choosing rather to believe the lies of Satan, self, and the world).

[1] “When a Major Life Change Upends Your Sense of Self “, Harvard Business Review.

Our Faith Walk

Our Faith Walk: Who Are You? Part 1

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Who are you?

Who are you?

In the story, Alice in Wonderland, we are told of a young girl drawn into a world of contradictions and challenges to her way of thinking.  How did it start?  She chased a rabbit with a watch.  In the process, Alice falls into a “proverbial rabbit hole”, entering a new reality that tests everything she claims to believe.  My favorite character is the plump caterpillar who, positioned on a posh pillar, asks of Alice, “Who are you?”

Joseph, being sold into slavery by his brothers, found himself in new and perilous circumstances that challenged his faith and godly beliefs (Genesis 37-39).  Daniel and his comrades, exiled in Babylon where continually tested and dared to “hold fast to their confession of faith”, even at the potential loss of their life (Daniel 1-3).

One of the challenges in living in the 21st century is understanding, “who we are”.   Our identity.  Why is it important?  Who influences the choices we make daily?  There are rabbit holes, temptations, and risks to life we must acknowledge as we continue our walk of faith.  That’s why it’s important that we hold firm to our identity as followers of Jesus Christ.

Who do you identify with?

Identity is the set of characteristics that constitutes individual personality.  It is our essential self and our personal uniqueness.

Our identity is shaped by personal traits, talents, values, and beliefs. External factors such as friends and family, social groups, and cultural heritage also shape who we are.

While identity deals with personal uniqueness, it also describes a person’s sameness with others.  For example, one’s identity may be tied to a particular area (Midwesterner, New Yorker), a certain group (Boomers, Gen-Xers), or a cause (Save the Whales).  It can also be tied to a political affiliation or religious denomination.

Our world is daily challenging us to “choose” who we identify with.  The results are that we, as a society, are experiencing an identity crisis.

Identity crisis, in the psychosocial sense, is a condition of disorientation and role confusion as a result of conflicting pressures and expectations.   Identity crisis seeks a clearer sense of self and acceptable role in society.  Spiritual identity crisis is very similar, in that it occurs because of the conflict exerted from Satan, the world, and self.[1]

Unfortunately, rather than celebrating our God-given uniqueness, the world and Satan is using our identity to polarize us and to weaponize who we are.

Identity and our faith walk.

For believers, our identity is rooted and grounded in Christ Jesus (Col. 2:7).   Through His work of redemption, we have been reconciled to the Father (Rom. 5:10).

Satan challenges our identity in Christ Jesus by first targeting our mind.  He uses as his weapon, lies.  These lies are designed to deceive and discourage.  Satan’s purpose is to make us ignorant of God’s will and plan for our life.

The world also attacks our mind and our body.  It creates an insatiable desire for “all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16).

Lastly, self contributes to identity crisis by demanding freedom to exercise its personal will.  The desire to rule self and operate independent of God leads to self-promotion, self-elevation, and selfishness.  Left unchecked, man’s attention shifts from “what God desires” to “what feels right.”

In Christ we are now sons and daughters of God (John 1:12), endowed with a new identity and power.  Through spiritual regeneration (2 Cor. 5:17), we have become partakers of His divine nature, the Holy Spirit, who is daily conforming us to the image of Christ (2 Pet. 1:4).

We must continually be on the watch for social, political, and yes, religious “rabbit holes” that challenge our identity in Christ. Next week, we will continue our discussion on identity and its importance in our faith walk.

[1]   https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/identity-crisis

 

Our Faith Walk

Our Faith Walk: Keep Your Eye on God

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A Message for Fearful Times

Historical trauma

We’ve experienced many horrible events in the tapestry of our nation’s history and in our personal lives.  Natural disasters, war, health pandemics, and social upheaval, just to name a few. These events create trauma and fear that must be navigated daily.

But I come today with a message of encouragement and hope from the God who sees and Who is in complete control of what appears to be “out of control.”  Keep your eye on God!

Keep Your Eye on God

It is important during these troubling times to keep our eyes on the Lord.  As believers, we are aware that in this world we will have tribulation and trials (John 16:33).  But we are also reminded to take heart because Jesus has overcome the world.  One writer reminded me, “it is the tension between ‘overcome’ and ‘taking heart’ that cause us problems.”

Our trust in the Lord is not the result of positive thinking or some new age approach to stress management.   Brian Morykno with Renovaré encourages believers during fearful times to follow King David’s example of magnification.

Imagine David, with the war cry of enemies rising all around, settled of soul and unafraid.  How was that possible?  It’s not that David was out of touch with reality; he was in touch with it.  David understood magnification.  He knew that what we dwell upon becomes large in our spiritual field of vision.  And David dwelled upon God (Ps. 95:3-5).     

Our reality is this.  God is sovereign and is moving forward with His plan of salvation.  God is not the cause of the terrible events we see in our daily social media feed and news broadcasts.  Such events come from “heart issue” of sinful men (James 3:16-18) and the work of Satan (Eph. 6:12; John 10:10).

Where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.   But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace (James 3:16).

A Plan for These Times

To help us move through these times, I offer this three-prong approach to help us navigate through these difficult times.

Prayer.  This should be our first response to the troubles we face.  We are told to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17).  The reason for this mandate is because our prayers connect us directly to God—the Power Source who can resolve our dilemma.  The “only wise God” (Rom. 16:27) is there to guide and direct our steps, comfort our heart, and ease our stress (Phil. 4:6-7).

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.  (Romans 12:12)

Practice the Presence of God.    We are never alone regardless of the situation we face.  He alone can make good on His promise that He will “never leave nor forsake us” (Gen. 28:15).  He is ever-present.  Regardless of external appearances, God is with us even amid our trouble.

Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?  If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. (Ps. 139:7-8)

Praise.  Yes, I said praise.  Why?  Because it is the quickest way to experience the presence of God (Ps. 22:3).    Ruth Meyer, author of the book, 31 Days of Praise, offers this insight on the power of praise.

As you praise and pray, you make your circumstances and your life a test tube that demonstrates the existence of a personal God, a God who is present and involved and who controls the natural Universe. It turns your attention to spiritual and eternal values versus the pleasures and success mentality of our age, which resists all pain and discomfort and delay.

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. (Ps. 22:3)

A Message for Trying Times

As we continue our walk of faith, we will be faced with trials and trouble.   Although these may be difficult, we have the blessed assurance that we are not in these things alone.  Neither are we powerless (Luke 10:19; Eph. 1:19).

I don’t know how these tumultuous times will end but I do know that God has the final word (Ps. 119:89-91).  God is and will continue to be the Creator and Sustainer of all things (Col. 1:16).