New Identity

New Identity

Revelation 2: ¹² “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

 

“This is the message from the one who has the sharp two-edged sword. ¹³ I know where you live, there where Satan has his throne. You are true to me, and you did not abandon your faith in me even during the time when Antipas, my faithful witness, was killed there where Satan lives. ¹⁴ But there are a few things I have against you: there are some among you who follow the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak how to lead the people of Israel into sin by persuading them to eat food that had been offered to idols and to practice sexual immorality. ¹⁵ In the same way you have people among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans. ¹⁶ Now turn from your sins! If you don't, I will come to you soon and fight against those people with the sword that comes out of my mouth.

 

¹⁷ “If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!

“To those who win the victory I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give each of them a white stone on which is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.

 

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Wanting to fit in, I decided that humor would be my entrance into the in-crowd. I learned how to insult people to make others laugh. But after a while, I was known as a clown and was not taken seriously when I desired it.

 

• I created an identity that I thought was funny, but had an edge of meanness.
• I thought people would gravitate to the identity I created for myself.
• I did not consider the unintended consequences of my hurtful words.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, wrote to believers in Pergamum that all believers can gain wisdom. The warning from JESUS was about being wishy-washy and allowing any philosophy to be spoken and followed. JESUS then warns to turn away from identifying with those who speak against HIM otherwise HE would speak judgment on them.

 

My Observations:

• At some point I had to realize that I am a creation of GOD and I need HIM for everything.
• My identity should clearly point to GOD.
• JESUS will give me a new identity that only HIM and I know.

 

Identifying with JESUS may cause the world to fight instead of joining in. I mean, as soon as I say “JESUS is my LORD and Savior”, the enemy wants to fight against me. Pressures to fit into the world that hates JESUS would grow more intense. BUT GOD has a remedy.

 

JESUS wants me to give up my identity so I can say “I belong to HIM.” Instead of making a name for myself, HE wants me to point to HIS name which has all the power. I no longer seek the accolades from the crowd.

 

Challenge

• What following does the writer speak about?
• Have you ever wanted to fit into a group that was possibly against CHRIST?
• Will you seek to identify with CHRIST so HE can use you to being many people back to HIM?

New Identity

 

New Identity

Philippians 3 ⁴ I could, of course, put my trust in such things. If any of you think you can trust in external ceremonies, I have even more reason to feel that way. ⁵ I was circumcised when I was a week old. I am an Israelite by birth, of the tribe of Benjamin, a pure-blooded Hebrew. As far as keeping the Jewish Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee, ⁶ and I was so zealous that I persecuted the church. As far as a person can be righteous by obeying the commands of the Law, I was without fault. ⁷ But all those things that I might count as profit I now reckon as loss for Christ's sake. 

 

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Being ridiculed, I did not want to be seen or known. But after being recognized for positive achievements, I craved more accolades. The more “I” achieved, the higher “I” went. Soon my entire identity was wrapped in ”my” title.

 

• My thoughts were only on my title.
• My plans centered around my title.
• My conversations, lack of sleep, decisions and time were based on my title.

 

Paul sounded harsh on those who pushed the need to be circumcised as an implied closeness to GOD. This male oriented action was debunked by Paul as he admitted his own faults. He was extremely zealous for following the scripture but lacked its true meaning, namely CHRIST.

 

My Observations

• When GOD made me, HE said “Very good.”
• My identity is made whole by pointing all lives to CHRIST.
• Only CHRIST deserves the attention and my achievements mean nothing.

 

Having a title or lineage or popularity is not bad unless I place it over what GOD wants for me. I mean, GOD gives me free will to choose HIM or “me.” When I choose “me” I get the spotlight, the accolades and “my” name is mentioned more than HIS.

 

Fortunately GOD understands this and HE gently guides me back to a place of true peace. HE opens my eyes to the need for CHRIST to have the honor of the spotlight. My achievements, accomplishments and accolades mean nothing in comparison to JESUS. I look at the immense time I have wasted as loss and I am grateful GOD hs given me a chance to speak about HIM now.

 

Challenge

• Can you sense regret from the writer?
• Have you ever wanted the attention, maybe even in a passive way?
• What do you cry out to GOD for?
• Will you seek a new identity by placing JESUS over every aspiration in your life today?

All Taken Care Of

John 1: ¹⁹ Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders^[c] in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. ²⁰ He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, ‘I am not the Messiah.’

²¹ They asked him, ‘Then who are you? Are you Elijah?’

He said, ‘I am not.’

‘Are you the Prophet?’

He answered, ‘No.’

²² Finally they said, ‘Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’

²³ John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Make straight the way for the Lord.”’

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“How much do I have to pay?” was my worrisome question. “Nothing” was the reply. “This trip to the islands is an all expense gift that is given to you and your family.” “You mean I don’t have to do anything?” I asked again.

• There were times when I felt some things were too good to be true.
• There were times when I thought I had to do something even when I didn’t have to.
• There were times when I felt I had to be someone I did not have to be in order to get something special.

John made it clear that he was not the Messiah. He was simply the one who would tell everyone about the great news of JESUS’s arrival. A very simple message was given to people by John that JESUS came to save the world. John didn’t even have to go and get the people. They came to him.

• GOD says to me “I freely give you the gift of salvation.”
• GOD says to me “I will knock on your heart. If you open the door I will come in and sup with you.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the one who pursues you. Open your heart and I will live with you forever.”

JESUS is the messiah and HE did it all. Sometimes I feel pressure to do more so I can ne “closer” to CHRIST. How much closer can GOD get to me than inside of me? JESUS sent HIS HOLY SPIRIT to dwell in me when I confessed I needed HIM as my savior.

HE gave me an unbelievable gift that seems too good to be true… BUT it is! JESUS wants me to be with HIM and HE took care of everything. All expenses of sin are paid. I can enjoy eternal life because of HIM.

• Do you think you have to do more in order to please GOD?
• Do you feel you are “far” away from GOD because you are not getting your way fast enough?
• Will you allow GOD to work in your life and take care of all your needs today?

Identity Meal

Luke 4: ³ And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

⁴ But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”

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“Aren’t you in charge?” questioned the salesperson trying to poke at my ego. The decision could cost the company millions so my answer had to be correct. “Being in charge is not what is in question right now” was my reply.

• Some people have questioned “my” authority and it made me furious.
• Some people have checked up on me even when I said who I was.
• Some people have doubted “my” role even when they knew what my role was.

“If YOU are the SON of GOD” were the words the devil used to question JESUS’s validity of being the CHRIST. His next ploy was to tempt JESUS into doing parlor tricks with HIS infinite power.  JESUS showed me extreme constraint.

• GOD wants me to grow in power to forgive those who are hard to forgive.
• GOD wants me to grow in strength to have mercy on those who get on my last nerve.
• GOD wants me to grow in courage to speak about HIM instead of easily conforming to what the world would say.

JESUS had the choice of eating a meal to prove HIS identity to the devil or possibly dying because HE had not eaten in forty days. JESUS chose to put HIS circumstance in the FATHER’s hands implying “I would rather die following what is right than to be comfortable for two seconds.”

GOD wants me to do the same. HE wants me to sometimes say “No” to the plot of the world. When the world says “Why don’t you work hard for moments of pleasure and stuff” GOD wants me to think about HIS kingdom and chose HIS way. 

Sometimes I choose pleasure, BUT GOD rewards me when I say “I will not live by bread alone, but by every word of GOD.”

• Are you caught up in trying to prove who you are to people?
• Do you think a title or a contract or a job will define you?
• Can you stop thinking about “what” defines you rather than “WHO” defines you, namely GOD?

I want a new name

Revelation 2: ¹⁷ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

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Hey “goggles” someone called me.  Hi “professor” others quipped. I’ve also been called some named that I won’t repeat but I know this was their attempt to label me with a derogatory name. Soon I found myself giving people nicknames.  I wonder if they were positive.

• GOD has a new name for me that is special.
• GOD has a new name for me that is only between me and HIM.
• GOD has a new name for me that defines my new purpose and being.

My parents chose a name that was pleasing to them. I like it but my name doesn’t define my life’s purpose of serving others. My name doesn’t describe how I’m supposed to relate to others or what relationship with GOD I’m supposed to hold.

GOD will put my new name in white stone to make it crystal clear to everyone who sees it. Only HIM and I will understand it’s true meaning because it’s a special gift to me. No one will be envious of my name because they will have their own name on their own stone.

• What is your name?
• Is your name negative right now?
• Can you make a new name for yourself by following GOD?
• Won’t you change your name today by modifying your actions, thoughts and worship?