Identity – Clothed in His Righteousness

Are You a Survivor?!?!

It has recently come to my attention that the term ‘survivor’ is being used within the Christian community when referring to themselves and/or others in regards to some form of illness, disease, or sickness. However, I would like to challenge every believer in Jesus Christ to not only change their thinking but change their words (See Proverbs 18:21; Romans 12:2).

Nowhere in scripture are children of God considered or ever called ‘survivors.’ There is no evidence of any scripture references which supports that line of thinking and/or those kinds of words or terminology when referring to people who have overcome hardships, trials, and challenges in life. There are other words and terms used in the Bible though which describe those who have been through different challenges, hardships, and/or trials. They have endured and persevered through all of it. Not only that but they usually have come out better and stronger physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually for having gone through everything.

Let’s see what God calls those kind of people by going to His word—His truth.

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39, NIV – emphasis added mine)

According to the previous scripture passage, we are more than conquerors—not survivors. Let’s check out more in God’s word.

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4, NIV)

“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:5, NIV)

Those previous two scripture references make no mention of God’s children being survivors. In truth, they refer to all believers in Jesus Christ being overcomers instead.

Therefore, after looking into God’s word, now ask yourself this question—Are you a Survivor?!?! Or, will you choose to think and see yourself as God thinks and sees you? Will you only say what He says to you and about you?

When you are a child of God, you are more than a conqueror and an overcomer!

Get Up, Jesus!

Believe it or not! There are people within the body of Christ today that believe they are God and they can resurrect Jesus. They act like they can just tell Jesus to “Get Up!” They think they can tell other believers to get up [out of their temporary situations] — just like *snap*.

However, for any believer who really knows God and His word, it doesn’t work like that. We cannot resurrect ourselves or others overnight. Even God didn’t resurrect Jesus overnight. (Acts 2:32) Yet, they seem to think they can just speak to others and *poof*, they will resurrect them.

Unfortunately, they don’t realize that they are not God. They are not all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful, and ever-present. They try to play Holy Spirit in other people’s lives. They think they can ‘play God’ and tell people what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. However, they are not God! They are ‘God wanna-be’s’ who haven’t given up total control of themselves, their lives, as well as other people and their lives. They aren’t moving in the Spirit of God. They are very fleshy, carnal people who live for their old, sinful nature. They haven’t matured spiritually. They don’t know their true identity in Jesus Christ. They are more about religion than relationship with Jesus.

These type of people think too highly of themselves and not highly enough of the Almighty God. They don’t really know the one true God. Therefore, they can’t trust Him. Rather, they don’t trust Him.

They try to take things in their own hands. They try to act like they are God. There is only one God.

I am here to tell them and any others who may think otherwise. I only have one God. I worship Him alone. …Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ (Matthew 4:10, NIV)

God is the ultimate, superior being of the universe. (Genesis 1) He is in control. He is my ultimate authority. I first go to Him. He is my ultimate source.

How about you?

I say, “We will have no other gods before us!” (Deuteronomy 5:7)

Will you join me?

Identity Theft

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” (John 10:10a, NIV)

The enemy is also known as the devil, the thief, Satan, the prince of this world, and the father of lies. (John 8:44, 12:31, 14:30, 16:11)

Jesus told crowds of people a parable about the sower. He said, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.” (Matthew 13:3b-7, NIV)

The farmer represents God, and the seed represents God’s word. The ground represents people—more specifically, their hearts. The rocky places and the thorns represent the things of this world which come and choke the word out of people’s hearts.

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:18-22, NIV)

Unfortunately, the enemy or the devil destroys God’s children by lying to them and stealing from them. It happens more times than not because not only do the members of the body of Christ not have a good and strong foundation in God’s word, but they also do not know who they truly are in Jesus Christ. Therefore, the devil has no problem neither lying to them nor stealing from them. God’s children must be firmly rooted and ground in the Word of God. They must also know their true identity in Jesus Christ. Lastly, they must be armored up. (Ephesians 6:10-20)

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV)

“Who Do You Say I Am?”

“Who do the crowds say I am?” (Luke 9:18)

‎”But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” (Luke 9:20)

Jesus posed a few questions that day to his disciples. One particular question stands out though. He asked his disciple, Peter…

“Who do you say I am?”

It is a very important question too! Have you ever thought about it?

“Who do you say I am?”

Just think, consider, and ponder that question for a minute.

Who do others say you are? Who do you say you are? Who does Jesus Christ say you are? Most importantly, who does your Heavenly Father say you are?

You may say…Who cares what other people say? Correct? Well, that is the way it should be in this world. However, that is not always the case.

Many people care what other people think or say. It is human nature. However, God wants us to care less about what people in this world think or say and care more about what He thinks and says about us.

It is only one reason that it is so important to renew your mind is God’s word (Romans 12:2).

Who do you say you are? Who does your Heavenly Father say you are? Who does Jesus Christ say you are?

‎”But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” (Luke 9:20)

Most importantly, who does Jesus Christ say you are? After all, He is the Son of God!