Journey, an update 8-10-07
“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:16-19a
I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about identity: being verses doing and what defines worth in God’s eyes. In truth, worth is defined; we are defined; by the blood of Christ. It is our position as God’s children, because of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, which makes us valuable and defines our existence. I love Paul’s prayer here in Ephesians 1. He doesn’t pray that the Ephesians will be effective but, that they will know God better. He doesn’t pray that they will make the world marvel at their amazing works but that they will know the HOPE of God, found the riches of his inheritance (relationship as heirs and the promise of heaven) and his power (the same power that raised Christ from the dead).
Letting Christ be our identity is actually a freeing thing. We often talk about surrendering our material things to and for the Lord, but we need to go beyond just the material and lay down ourselves. After that initial surrender of our flesh and our sin, at the foot of the cross, Christ renews us into a new creation. But we must learn to walk in this renewal, laying down our false perceptions, including the perceptions of where our value comes from. This is radically different from what the world teaches. But if we can just grab hold, for even a moment, of how God truly sees us – then we can find the freedom to let go of the things that weigh us down. If our eyes are opened and our heart’s enlightened to our position as cherished heirs who have an eternal hope, then we can begin to live in the power of the gospel.
I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about identity: being verses doing and what defines worth in God’s eyes. In truth, worth is defined; we are defined; by the blood of Christ. It is our position as God’s children, because of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, which makes us valuable and defines our existence. I love Paul’s prayer here in Ephesians 1. He doesn’t pray that the Ephesians will be effective but, that they will know God better. He doesn’t pray that they will make the world marvel at their amazing works but that they will know the HOPE of God, found the riches of his inheritance (relationship as heirs and the promise of heaven) and his power (the same power that raised Christ from the dead).
Letting Christ be our identity is actually a freeing thing. We often talk about surrendering our material things to and for the Lord, but we need to go beyond just the material and lay down ourselves. After that initial surrender of our flesh and our sin, at the foot of the cross, Christ renews us into a new creation. But we must learn to walk in this renewal, laying down our false perceptions, including the perceptions of where our value comes from. This is radically different from what the world teaches. But if we can just grab hold, for even a moment, of how God truly sees us – then we can find the freedom to let go of the things that weigh us down. If our eyes are opened and our heart’s enlightened to our position as cherished heirs who have an eternal hope, then we can begin to live in the power of the gospel.
posted by Sojourner at 5:25 PM
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