“Christian identity is to belong in a place that Jesus defines for us. By living in that place, we come in some degree to share his identity, to bear his name and to be in the same relationships he has with God and with the world.”
Source: What We Mean By Christian Identity – World Council of Churches…
When we were born into this world, we naturally identified with Satan because we inherited the nature of Adam. Upon accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, however, we inherited the nature of Jesus. Very few, however, seems to make the transformation from the old to our new identity.
Transformation
If, as the above quote states, Jesus has designated a place for Christians, should not we strive to be in that place? Romans 12:1 tells us that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Nevertheless, many proclaimed Christians find it easier to continue identifying with Satan instead of working to be transformed in compliance with their new identity.
Transformation, however, is a process we have difficulties understanding. We discussed the process in the book, “Am I a Sinner, Too?” We also thought it would be insightful to refer to George Barna’s research. In his book titled “Maximum Faith,” he identifies and lists ten stops on the transformation journey. He also notes the percentage of the population that is at each stop, which lend support to the statement we made earlier that only a few experience total or near total transformation.
The Ten Stops:[i]
- Ignorance of the concept or existence of sin: one percent of the adult population rests at this stop.
- Aware of and indifferent to sin: 16 percent of the adult population rests at this stop.
- Concerned about the implication of personal sin: 39 percent of the adult population rests at this stop.
- Confess sins and ask Jesus Christ to be their Savior: nine percent of the adult population rests at this stop.
- Commitment to faith activities: 24 percent of the adult population rests at this stop.
- Experience a prolonged period of spiritual discontent: six percent of the adult population rests at this stop.
- Experiencing personal brokenness: three percent of the adult population rests at this stop.
- Choosing to surrender and submit fully to God: One percent of the adult population rests at this stop.
- Enjoying a profound intimacy with and love for God: One half of one percent of the adult population rests at this stop.
- Experiencing a profound compassion and love for humanity: One-half of one percent of the adult population rests at this stop.
In his book, Barna describes in detail each stop, which is very enlightening. The logical and desired progression is to advance through each stop to stop 10, but many may to advance to a stop and then regress to an earlier stop. The question for each of us today is, “at which of the stops am I resting?”
[i] Barna, George, Maximum Faith, Live like Jesus, Metaformation Inc., Ventura, California, Strategenius Group LLC, New York, New York and WHC Publishing, Glendora, California, 2011.
