Sunday Morning Podcast February 5, 2017. Bro. Richard Lehman.
TEXT: COLOSSIANS 1:26-27
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Is this who we identify with? With God? Or who we think we are? There are many things that make us up of who we are. Both physical and spiritual aspects. We change. But some things distinguish us more than others. The notion of individuality is often what some try to be. So therefore, we make choices for ourselves. Some are things that someone else has chosen for us. For example; our name. We sometimes make choices based on negative, or positive things others say or accuse us of. And this can affect who we think we are. But is it who we really are? Much of who we are, depends on who we want to be with.
Paul completely identified with Christ and His crucifixion. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. In the midst of Paul’s most degrading moments he identified with Christ’s sufferings and worshipped Him, because he had made Christ his life. Our life will also be identified by what we are most familiar with. The Word of God can, and will, help us understand who we really are. God didn’t plan for any to be sinners. He planned on us to choose to take up our cross and follow Him.
Christ is the example of who God chose for our identity: Philippians 2: 7,8 7 But made himself of not reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto the death, even the death of the cross. This example is what God thinks and planned for each of us, and is that which determines who we were meant to be.
Do you really know who you are? Be willing to let God choose your identity!