Challenging Christians to know their identity.
“If any man serve me, let him follow me, and where I am, there shall my servant be:” John 12:26
Those of us whose identity is in Christ understand the vitality of being a living sacrifice for Jesus. The old fable of the pig and chicken conveys the essence of Matthew 16:24:
We have been talking about identity, more specifically, spiritual identity. How do you identify yourself, as a sinner or saint? Considering the popular phrase among Christians, “we are all sinners,” some of you might respond, I am a sinner. The book I authored titled, “Am I a Sinner, Too?” challenges this response. Why? Firstly and far most, it lessens the price of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Secondly, according to Proverbs 23:7 (KJV), we are as we think in our hearts; therefore, it is important that we have the correct concept of ourselves and redeemer.
My wife and I watch this TV show titled, Saint and Sinner. Of course, the show is not what we expected; however, it does depict a realty that sometimes it is difficult to distinguish saints from sinners.
I heard a minister several years ago say, for sinners, sin is a way of life but for saints, sin is a choice. If we believe we are sinners, then sin becomes our way of life. That is not why Jesus sacrificed his life. Think of the price He paid to redeem us. Therefore, the book was intended to challenge believers to accept their new identity and live accordingly. In the book, however, I did not answer the question. I endeavored to provide sufficient information for each believer to answer it for themselves.
After watching a season of the show mentioned above and being aware of the discourse we have in our society and even in our churches, I have concluded that it is paramount to unequivocally answer the question. I take to heart Proverbs 23:7 and believe believers would live differently if they had the correct concept of themselves.
Therefore, my goal is to revise the book mentioned above or write a second book to accomplish this purpose. I am hoping, however, you will assist me by expressing here your thoughts about that phrase. Request you add your comments here and I welcome your questions as well.
I begin writing this post on Easter Sunday when most Christians were worshiping together via virtual means. I choose not to say the church’s doors were closed. We may close the doors of the church house but cannot close the doors of the true church. Christians chose to comply with the state’s stay home mandate to minimize the spread of the COVID-19.
COVID-19 is what we would call in the digital world a disrupter. Disrupters are usually neither good nor bad but inevitably brings about change. That change, however, could be bad or good. Our response, however, makes the difference, and that is what I want to focus on in this writing. How should Christians respond to COVID-19?
Firstly, allow me to level the playing field. COVID-19 will affect Christians and non-Christians alike. Christians, just like non-Christians, may be asymptomatic, others will have mild symptoms, severe symptoms and some will even die. Therefore, we are concerned with the effects, not the affects of COVID-19. Our faith will influence the results and outcome of the virus. After all, our aim as Christians is to glorify God through demonstrating our faith.
We talk about our faith but how well do we show it? James says, “shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew my faith by my works” (James 2:18 KJV). People should see our faith in our actions and even in the way we speak; our attitude should be reflective of our faith.
To make it clear what I mean about showing our faith, I have chosen examples of Jesus responding to individuals’ faith:
None of the individuals in these examples had to tell Jesus or anyone else that they had faith. Their faith was evident in their actions and speech. In this COVID-19 environment, how should we display our faith? Some of the ways may include not being fearful, complying with civil law, caring for others, and praying. We will take a brief look at each of these.
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I recently attended my family reunion in Detroit, Michigan, which was my first since childhood. I met family members whom I had not seen in years and some I had never seen. As I mingled and attempted to reacquaint with those relatives I knew and get acquainted with those I were meeting for the first time, I realized that I have all sorts of characters in my family. I mean, many of us do not resemble each other in appearance or mannerism. However, we have come from far and near to be with one another because we are family. We are connected by blood however distance those ties might be. The names that bind us cause us to want to know and wish the best for each other. Likewise, that kind of relationship should be true for our spiritual family.
[Read more…]Our identity consists of with whom and what we associate, as well as what and in whom we believe. Our beliefs drive our value system, which determines our actions and responses to our circumstances. The book of James talks about the relationship between faith and works. We are saved by grace through our faith and not by works (Eph 2:8). However, James tells us that faith without works is dead. In other words, if you have faith, you will have works. Your works are an outward manifestation of your faith. Therefore, as Christians, or as Paul would say, Saints, we must walk daily by faith. Our value system must be based on the right beliefs.
Our worldview is how we view the world, which is influenced greatly by our beliefs or value system. According to the American Scientific Affiliation:
“A worldview is a view of the world, used for living in the world. A world view is a mental model of reality — a comprehensive framework of ideas & attitudes about the world, ourselves, and life, a system of beliefs, a system of personally customized theories about the world and how it works.”
Our value system and worldview are all intertwined. Together they influence our responses to circumstances and our interpretation of situations, scriptures and world events. Therefore, to be effective, Christians must have what is referred to as a Biblical Worldview.
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