Category Archives: Identity

Bible, Devil, Division, Evil, God's Will, Harmony, Identity, Perfection, Relationships, Scripture

JUST WHO ARE YOU

GALATIANS 3:28

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

There is a lot of confusion about people today. People are choosing to identify as all kinds of other people or things. I heard recently about an elementary age child who thinks they are a cat. So, the school has to supply him with a litter box. I am not kidding. Way too confusing for me.

In today’s verse, Paul simplifies things. He says, “you are all one in Christ Jesus.” No longer do they have to think like a Jew or Greek. Whether you are slave or master doesn’t matter. The societal restraints against the sexes also fade away. He was making sure they knew that we are all together now in Jesus.

APPLICATION

How do you identify? Well, I’m Baptist so I can’t associate with those Catholics. Or We Methodists cannot go to that service because it’s being led by that Lutheran guy. We still wear our labels. No one is greater than the other in Christ. We are equal. Give each other room to grow.

I believe Paul says it best in Ephesians 4:4-6. “4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” We are one. We are united in Christ. We no longer need to be separated into classes or groups.

So, why do we have all these Christian denominations? I get asked that sometime by non-believers. They wonder why we can’t all get along. Good question. But as long as we are here on this earth, we are going to have divisions. Let’s strive to unite. Let’s strive to present a united front against the evil one. We are one!

Lord, thank You for showing me who I am. I know I am in You and You are in me.

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Abiding, Allies, Bible, Eternity, God's Will, Harmony, Identity, Promises, Scripture

WITH ABRAHAM

GALATIANS 3:9

“So then, those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.”

I am an extrovert at heart. I enjoy being with people. I like socializing and having a party. Being with others is critical to me. I guess I could survive alone somewhere, but it would not be nearly as enjoyable as being with someone. Why am I talking about this? Because the subject of today’s blog is about being “with” someone – Abraham.

In Galatians 3:8, Paul says God will bless all the nations “in” (en) Abraham. Then Paul changes the preposition in verse 9 to “with” suv. I know what you are thinking, Big deal, Carl. Well, it is a big deal. That word suv is a much weightier word. It means to be joined together tightly and to be identified with. That’s a little different that ev which means inside. Keep reading, and I’ll show you more.

APPLICATION

One of my favorite examples of this preposition suv is in Galatians 2:20, which we saw in an earlier blog. When Paul says “I am crucified with Christ,” he uses that preposition on the front of the verb “crucified.” It means we are identified with Christ in His crucifixion. We cannot be separated from it.

Colossians 3:1 uses the same preposition. “Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” “Raised with” means we are eternally connected. Nothing can separate us. We are “with” Christ. Do you get the picture? Do a quick word study. Look up “with Christ” in your Blue Letter Bible or Bible Hub online. Look at the Greek words for “with Christ.” You’ll see this preposition suv over and over.

Have I lost you yet? I hope not. I just wanted you to see that when Paul says we are “blessed with Abraham,” he is saying that we are forever connected to the father of faith. The promises God made to him have been extended to us through Jesus Christ. I cannot wait to meet Abraham one day. He’s on my visitation list in heaven.

O Lord, You have linked us to others through our faith. Help us be “with” others now so we can walk in unity.

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Abiding, Belief, Bible, Devil, Evil, Following, Identity, Obedience, Relationships, Rescue, Scripture, Witnessing

WHO IS THIS SHEPHERD?

ZECHARIAH 13:7

“‘Awake, sword, against My Shepherd, and against the Man, My Associate,’ declares the LORD of armies. ‘Strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered; and I will turn My hand against the little ones.’”

When I was a boy, there was a television program called To Tell The Truth. On this program, three contestants were presented to a guest panel of four people. All three contestants said they were the same person. Only one was the real person. Questions were asked and finally one was asked to “tell the truth.”

Why am I describing this program? Because in today’s verse we have a “Shepherd” that is not identified. The Lord, through Zechariah, does not come right out and say the person’s name. However, because we have other evidence, we can point out this person’s identity. This Shepherd is none other than God’s only Son, Jesus. He was the one struck. It was His sheep that were scattered. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy through His death on that cruel cross.

APPLICATION

So, how do we apply this verse to our lives today? Can people identify you as a follower of Christ? How do people know what you believe. The Word, Jesus, tells us in John 13:34-35, “‘34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.’” Don’t you want to be identified with the Shepherd?

Too many believers hold their faith so close to their chest that no one would know they are a child of the King. We need to be shouting it from the rooftops. What is stopping you from being more bold in your witness? Just think of what He did for us. He underwent all the suffering of the cross to rescue us. The least we can do is stand up for Him.

Now, I must warn you. When you do that, we run the risk of being persecuted, just as is described in today’s verse. It says His sheep were scattered. The world will not like the fact that we are identifying with Christ. We can identify with anyone else or with any other group and we will be just fine. But the moment we identify with Jesus, watch for the fiery darts of the evil one to come our way. That’s okay, though. Why? Because any suffering we may endure gives glory to Him. Amen? Amen!

I know I am a sheep of the Shepherd who was pierced for my transgressions. Thank You, Lord.

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