Monday, June 22, 2015

Pastor's Ponderings, June 22, 2015

God Has Decided Who You Are

Recently the world heard about Bruce Jenner's transformation from a world-class male athlete into a woman named Caitlyn Jenner.  We were transfixed when the media exposed Rachel Dolezal as a white woman who pretended to be black for years.  Many people are coming forth stating they feel they were born in the wrong gendered body or are unclear about their identity.

Thank God our identity is in Christ.  The Christian, most importantly, identifies him or herself as a member of the body of Christ (Galatians 3:26, 28). We have this wonderful mystery, which is Christ inside of us who gives us our hope (Colossians 1:26-27). It is most important how He sees us.  He is greater than how the world sees us.  It is no more I but it is about Him that dwells in me (Galatians 2:20).

This is our constant, continuing, and comforting knowledge that we are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). Today, when people are changing what God calls them and deciding to be something else or someone else, let us confidently remember that we are not conforming to the world’s categories but our primary identity is in Christ. Let’s rejoice in knowing we are children of God through faith in Him (Galatians 3:26).

Galatians 3:26, 28
New International Version (NIV)
26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,
28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:26-27
New International Version (NIV)
26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.
27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Galatians 2:20
New International Version (NIV)
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Corinthians 12:27
New International Version (NIV)
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 



1 comment:

Deacon Herbert Willis said...

Saints, for many years I too was unsure of my true identity. Born in sin, shaped in iniquity. But when I gave my life to Christ, He revealed to me who I really am. (A child of the most high God).
Let us be always fixed on Jesus, and we will never live with the confusion of our "true" identity. Be Blessed!