| I’ve searched for identity in my successes but my failures get in the way. I’ve looked for identity in my possessions but they age, break, and malfunction. I’ve sought identity in people but everyone is flawed somehow. I’ve searched for identity in ministry but the Spirit gets in the way. I’ve reached for identity in knowledge but I never know enough. I’ve gotten my identity from my strength but weakness took it away. I’ve taken identity from my abilities but inability stole it from me. There is no place no person no experience no success no possession no skill no level of knowledge that can impart the security of identity the rest of meaning and purpose that everyone desires. So I’ve quit looking out and begun looking up. In you I am loved I am forgiven I have eternal value I have meaning and purpose I have security and rest I have understanding I have moral direction I have self-knowledge I have peace of heart. You are in me I am in you. This bond is enough. This bond is life and it cannot be broken. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, ESV) I don’t think that we talk about this enough. I don’t think that we celebrate this reality enough. I don’t think we let our hearts consider the wonder of this identity enough. It is so amazing that it defies all standard human logic and intuition. It is the spiritual miracle of miracles that becomes the defining identity of all of God’s blood-bought children by grace. Amazingly, we are forgiven and accepted by God by grace and grace alone. There is nothing natural about this. We instinctively think that we must work our way into God’s favor and earn our way into his presence, but the biblical story is anything but natural. It’s the story of rebels who not only don’t desire a relationship with God but who could not possibly earn it even if they did. This is a story of divine intervention, of divine substitution, of divine sacrifice, and of divine grace. It is a story of God sending his Son to live as we were meant to live, to die the death that each of us deserves, to satisfy God’s righteous requirement and placate his anger, and to rise out of the grave, conquering sin and death. It is a story of incredible patience, tenderness, compassion, love, mercy, and grace—forgiveness granted, acceptance secured, and righteousness given to those who could not have merited them on their own. It is far better than any “too good to be true” story. So since this is true, why would you search for identity anywhere else? God bless, |
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| Reflection Questions |
| 1. Where in life have you been most successful? How is this a testament to God’s grace and generosity? 2. Are you tempted to take credit for your achievements even though it’s only the result of God’s gifting and timing? Consider all the ways in which you could have never achieved your successes on your own. Be specific. 3. What is your most treasured possession or favorite hobby? How is this evidence of God’s creative design? How can this be a blessing? 4. What happened when that possession was taken away or damaged, or you can’t enjoy your hobby? How did you respond? What does that reveal about your heart? 5. Do you put too much identity in your relationships? Are you relying too much on the love and approval of family, friends, or people you minister to? How have you already experienced the hurt of broken relationships that cannot provide the meaning and purpose you seek? 6. How can you practically quit looking out and start looking up for identity? What will that require you to sacrifice? What sins will you need to confess? What idols will you need to tear down? |
This content was originally posted by Paul Tripp on www.paultripp.com