Identity

Today's lead Scripture is from Ephesians 1:3 -6 NKJV

3.Blessed be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

4.just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

5.having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

6.to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

The above Scriptures are some of my favourite though I must confess every Word in the Bible is amazing and loaded with power, I'm usually spoilt for choice! But back to our text, our leading Scripture is praising God the Father not only for what He has done for us as an amazing Father but they are also highlighting our new identity in Christ Jesus. When you decide to give your life to Christ and become a born again believer, the old life has passed away and the new is here (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old life is the life of judgment, sin, shame, guilt and condemnation that we used to live before we had a revelation of the person of Jesus Christ. But thank the LORD for His saving grace that gives us access to the new life. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast." With our new life as believers, we are reminded that God is already pleased with us. We do not have to work for His love as His children so we receive it because His Son Jesus Christ completed the work for us.

Today's lead Scripture portrays how God already prepared and decided to love us and Romans 5:8 brings to our attention God's mercy for He loved us even while we were still sinners. God's decision to love us through our decision to identify with His Son Jesus Christ is fixed and it is true. Hence, because of this truth, God has blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places such as everlasting life, peace, love, joy, divine health, wisdom, confidence, courage, provision, to mention but a few. He has also already chosen us to be holy without blame before Him. To reiterate, you are holy and without blame before God in love. This means that every thought that condemns you as a believer is a lie that does not align with your identity in Christ Jesus. Friend, God has already made up His mind about you and its not changing. So lift up your faith and believe God for the best because He desires the best for you and I. What a privilege it is to have our identity as sons of the Almighty God whose love for us is consistent and never ending!

I will end with this Scripture in Mark 12:29-30 NKJV

28. ..."Which is the first commandment of all?"

29. Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.

30. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment."

Invitation to salvation: Finally, in case you have not already, I invite you to believe with your heart and confess with your mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins. I repent of my sin. I choose Him as my Lord and Saviour today and forever.

Congratulations, by grace you have been saved and are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old life has passed away and you have received the free gift of salvation into your life. To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen.

As a new believer, I urge you to prayerfully consider becoming a member of a church in your area and buying a Bible or downloading the Bible app on your mobile in case you don't already own one!