🙏 Embracing Our Identity in Christ • Friday Service at the RRC 🙏

🙏 Embracing Our Identity in Christ • Friday Service at the RRC 🙏 

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Today, I want to talk to you about a topic that is both profoundly important and incredibly empowering: our identity in Christ as sons and daughters of the Most High God.
In the midst of the challenges and uncertainties of the hour we find ourselves in, it becomes even more crucial that we understand who we are in Christ and the incredible privileges and responsibilities that come with this identity.

I. Our Identity in Christ:

A Royal Heritage:
In 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV), the apostle Peter reminds us that we are "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
Chosen Generation:
Christians are referred to as a "chosen generation." This means that believers are chosen by God for a special purpose. God has deliberately selected and called individuals to be part of His family and to serve Him in the world.

Royal Priesthood:
The term "royal priesthood" signifies that all believers have a priestly role in their relationship with God. In the Old Testament, priests were mediators between God and the people, offering sacrifices and interceding on behalf of others. In the New Testament, believers are seen as a "royal priesthood" because they have direct access to God through Jesus Christ and are called to offer spiritual sacrifices and intercede for others.

Holy Nation:
Christians are described as a "holy nation." This implies that believers collectively form a community set apart for God's purposes and characterized by holiness. It emphasizes the call to live lives that reflect God's moral and spiritual purity.
His Own Special People:
Believers are considered "His own special people," signifying that God has a unique and intimate relationship with His followers. They are His treasured possession, and He cares for them deeply.

Proclaiming His Praises:
The ultimate purpose of this chosen generation, royal priesthood, and holy nation is to "proclaim the praises of Him who called [them] out of darkness into His marvelous light." Christians are called to live in a way that reflects God's glory and to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ with others.
In essence, 1 Peter 2:9 highlights the identity and purpose of the Christian community. Believers are chosen by God to be a distinct and consecrated people, serving as a royal priesthood with the privilege of direct access to God and the responsibility of sharing His love and salvation with the world. This verse encourages believers to live out their faith in a way that reflects the character and mission of God.

Loved Unconditionally:
As sons and daughters of God, we are loved unconditionally. Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV) assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. It says, "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
To understand what it means to be "joint heirs" with Christ from a theological perspective, we need to delve into the biblical and theological concepts behind this term. The idea of being joint heirs with Christ is rooted in the teachings of the New Testament, primarily in the writings of the apostle Paul.
Adoption as Sons and Daughters:
In the context of our relationship with God, the concept of adoption plays a significant role. Before coming to faith in Christ, we were spiritually separated from God due to sin. However, when we believe in Jesus and accept Him as our Savior, we are adopted into God's family. Romans 8:14-15 (NKJV) explains this: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.'"

Heirs of God:
As adopted sons and daughters of God, we become heirs of God. This means we have a share in God's inheritance, which includes all the blessings, promises, and spiritual riches that come with being a child of God. Romans 8:17 (NKJV) affirms this: "and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

Joint Heirs with Christ:
The term "joint heirs with Christ" signifies that we share in the inheritance of Jesus Himself. This concept emphasizes our union with Christ. As believers, we are not merely bystanders or distant beneficiaries of Christ's work; we are intimately connected to Him. Through our faith in Christ, we become co-heirs of all that Christ has obtained through His redemptive work, which includes eternal life, forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and a future glorious inheritance.

Inheritance in Christ:
Our inheritance in Christ is not just material or earthly, but primarily spiritual and eternal. It includes the assurance of salvation, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the hope of resurrection, and the promise of spending eternity with God in His presence. Ephesians 1:11-14 (NKJV) beautifully expresses this truth: "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory."

Joint Heirs with Christ:
Romans 8:17 (NKJV) tells us that we are joint heirs with Christ, sharing in His inheritance. It says, "and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

II. Why We Need to Know Our Identity in Christ:

Identity Provides Stability:
Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV) reminds us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Our identity in Christ is rooted in the unchanging nature of our Savior.
Identity Empowers Us:

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) declares, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Our identity empowers us to overcome challenges with the strength of Christ.

Identity Leads to Transformation:
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) reveals that "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Our identity in Christ leads to personal transformation.

III. Embracing Our Identity in Action:

Prayer and Scripture:
Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) reassures us, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Engaging in prayer and studying the Bible helps us understand and apply our identity in Christ.
Community:

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV) emphasizes the importance of Christian community, saying, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Christian community encourages us in our faith journey.

Service:
Galatians 5:13 (NKJV) reminds us that "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Our identity calls us to serve and love others, reflecting Christ's love.
The Deceptive Nature of the World:

In the world we live in today, deception is rampant. The apostle Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV): "But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." Just as the serpent deceived Eve in the garden, the world can craftily lead us away from the simplicity and truth of our identity in Christ.

Knowing Who We Are:
Understanding our identity in Christ is crucial because it provides us with a solid foundation. When we know who we are as sons and daughters of the Most High God, we are less likely to be swayed by the shifting sands of worldly ideologies, false teachings, and deceitful philosophies.

Protecting Against Falsehood:
The knowledge of our identity in Christ serves as a protective shield against deception. Ephesians 4:14 (NKJV) instructs us: "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting." When we firmly grasp our identity, we are less susceptible to being carried away by false teachings and deceitful doctrines.

The Armor of God:
Ephesians 6:11 (NKJV) encourages us to "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Our identity in Christ is a vital part of this spiritual armor. Knowing who we are empowers us to stand firm against the schemes and deceptions of the enemy.

Testing All Things:
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV) instructs us to "Test all things; hold fast what is good." Understanding our identity in Christ enables us to discern what is good and true, helping us test all teachings and ideas against the solid foundation of Scripture.

Conclusion:
As we navigate the challenges and uncertainties of the hour, let us remember that we are not alone. We are sons and daughters of the Most High God, loved unconditionally, and called to live out our identity in Christ. Embracing this identity empowers us to face adversity with faith, grace, and hope. Let us walk confidently in the knowledge that we are children of the King, with an eternal inheritance awaiting us in the presence of our loving Father.
May you find strength and purpose in your identity as a son or daughter of the Most High God, and may your life be a testimony to the transformative power of Christ in you. Amen.