Tag: identification
Sin will have no dominion over me!
Scripture reading for May 29th: 1st Kings 1, 1st Chronicles 26-28, Romans 6
Key Scriptures: Romans 6:12-14 “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey it passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace.”
Paul taught identification with Christ to new believers. We identify with Christ in His death and our old nature is crucified with Him on the cross. We also identify with Christ in His resurrection from the grave and death, in that we are raised with Him in newness of life. In light of this, we present our bodies and our minds to Christ Jesus to be used for His purposes. We seek to do His will alone. Sin no longer has dominion over us because we are now under grace and live by faith.
1st Chronicles 28:9 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if your forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I identify with Jesus Christ in His death and in His resurrection to life. I declare that sin shall have no dominion over me and I present my body and mind to the Lord for His use. May God be glorified in me!
The life of Christ in me!
Scripture reading for October 7th: Colossians 3:1-17
True Christian thinking involves identification with Christ in His resurrection. Not only have we died with Christ, been buried with Christ, but we are raised up with Christ! (Galatians 2:20) Christ also ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father and we have been raised to identify with Christ in glory! The Holy Spirit is the Gift of the Father who enables us to identify with Christ and transforms to be like Him. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4) Christ is also coming again. When He appears, we will also appear with Him! We have the fullness of Christ given to us and can expect the eternal truths that Christ taught to come to pass. (Colossians 2:9-10) We have a new perspective from being raised with Christ!
As we change our focus from this life to Christ’s life, we begin to put off the things of our earthly nature that displeased God and caused trouble with others. Our focus is on pleasing Christ and preparing to meet Him instead of ourselves and our fleshly desires. All the old ways of immorality, lust, greed and idolatry were put to death on the cross so we can put them out of our lives. In their place, we put on the new self, “which is being renewed in the knowledge and image of the Creator.” (Colossians 3:10) Christ becomes our new identity.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you have have against one another. . .Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of on body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. . .” (Colossians 3:12-16a) Christ’s life produces identity and purpose in our lives. We have a calling to live in Christ’s peace knowing our sins are forgiven. What a gift to thank God for every day!