Who would you say you are at your core? What defines you? What gives you value? These are some of the core backdrop questions for every human who has ever existed.
Our identity as friends of God in Jesus is very clear. Because Jesus is the Father’s great possession, we are covered by Their relationship. This is what makes us acceptable and able to be bought back from the power of death. All of Adam and Eve’s offspring were lost in the the garden. Jesus, the second Adam, brings us safely home.
In spiritual warfare we are targets of the enemy. He cannot get to God so he attacks the Father through us. This is core to the meta-story. If the adversary can attack who we are, then our vulnerability explodes. So reminding ourselves who we are is key when fighting the battles of the war into which we have been born. This is also what made Jesus the Son target #1.
We are friends of God!
The full meaning of “believe” in the sentence, “Abraham believed God and was set right with God,” includes his faith action. Believing in his heart and acting upon it got Abraham named “God’s friend.” – James 2:23
We know we are God’s friends because of what He has sacrificed on our behalf.
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” – John 15:13-15
In order for us to fight – God reminds us who we are … and we must care about who we are! Here are a few things we know about our Jesus identity:
√ We are a part of His plan from ancient days. (1 Peter 1:20)
√ We are His workmanship. (Ephesians 2:8-13)
√ We are protected by the power of God. (1 Peter 1:5)
√ We are made clean by His word spoken to us. (John 15:3)
√ His power encircles us and nothing can snatch us from His hand. (John 10:28,29)
√ We possess His full, delegated authority. (Zechariah 3:2; Jude 9)
√ We are promised we will reign with Him. (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:6)
√ There will be rewards for faithful faith. (Genesis 15:1; Mark 10:30)
√ We are known distinct among humanity. (Revelation 2:17)
The adversary attacks our identity to make us powerless and cower before his schemes. His goal is to assault our effectiveness and impotent in the war over souls. His strategies are many – here are few:
– He distracts us through fear.
– He deceives us about what is truly important.
– He preoccupies us with distractions.
– He lies to us about our identity and worthiness.
– He discourages us and causes self-doubt.
He is disguised as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)
He lies, kills, and destroys without fear of impunity. (John 8:44; 10:10)
He is dedicated to our spiritual death.
We, however, are God’s own possession in Christ!
“We come to Him – a living stone which has been rejected by men. But this stone is choice and precious in the sight of God. As living stones, we are being built up as a spiritual house for a heavenly priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For the Word says: Behold, I place in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and He who believes in Him will not be disappointed…but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for God’s own possession. We are called to proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His miraculous light. For we were once were not a people, but now we are the people of God. We had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy.” – 1 Peter 2:4-10
We are a cherished, personal treasure to Him!
“Follow Him because you are a people set apart as holy to God, your God. He chose you out of all the people on earth for himself as His cherished, personal treasure. God wasn’t attracted to you and didn’t choose you because you were big and important. The fact is, there was almost nothing to you. He did it out of sheer love, keeping the promise he made to your ancestors. God stepped in and mightily bought you back out of that world of slavery and freed you from the iron grip of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Be sure of this: God, your God, is a God you can depend upon. He keeps his covenant of loyal love with those who love him and observe his commandments – for a thousand generations.” – Deuteronomy 7:6-9/M
Our names are written in His book
“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who value and lift His name. They will be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day I prepare My own possession I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” – Malachi 3:16,17
If we intend to be victorious in our battles with the heart-war raging around us, we must know and remember who we are. This takes intentionality in how we choose to live – and how we view ourselves in God.
Fighting the fight with you!
Dave & Burnadette
A song about where we live
A song about how we fight
More about who we are