Ten years ago I began writing devotionals and posting them on my website. Today I looked back on the first devotional I wrote in August of 2012. I wrote in that devotional that as I seek to know God more, I will know I am loved. For years I have sought to experience how much God loves me. I have judged His love for me by the discipline I have received. And now ten years later, God has lovingly brought me to the place where I know—I believe—His love for me has no bounds. His loving discipline is a means to His end—to know Him as He knows me. But His love has never been about discipline. It has never been about my working to earn His approval. He proved His love on the Cross. His love is only about His finished work of Grace in my life. The Holy Spirit has convinced me of who I am in Christ. I believe whatever God promises He is willing and able to perform. I choose to be a person of faith—to walk by faith and not by sight. His love has always been about KNOWING I am loved by God. When I know and believe that truth, then the righteousness Christ has given me convinces me of who I really am—a new person in Him.
Written in August of 2012:
Only those in close touch with the Holy Spirit, inspired by Him, infected by His love, filled with His strength, are resilient enough to be receptive to His "training in righteousness" ... to His loving discipline. He disciplines those He loves. If I am unloved, I am undisciplined. He disciplines me in many ways... through His Word, through others, and through so many means. If my spirit is open to His Spirit, I will hear and know that His has my best interest in His hands. As I seek to be more like Him, the discipline and instruction will mean so much more. I will not only be told I am loved. I will KNOW I am loved.
Written in August of 2022:
People who know who they are in Christ are people of faith. They don’t ever forget the miracle of the Grace of Jesus that has set them free. Their identity is not based on the opinions of others or on circumstances that are forever changing. Their identity is based on the redeeming and unchanging work of Christ.
People of faith know how God sees them—holy and set apart—blameless and pure—redeemed and forgiven—covered by His Grace—overwhelmingly blessed—chosen by Him—called to be His children—lavished by His precious Grace—sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise—unconditionally loved and accepted. They know that the Grace of Jesus has given them a wonderful inheritance of every spiritual blessing. They are confident that their lives will work out according to God’s plan and purpose (Jeremiah 29:11-13, Ephesians 1:1-14). They know that these truths are who they are in Christ and that His identity is theirs.
People who know who they are in Christ are not just satisfied with the status quo. They are hungry to understand all Jesus has given His life for them to have. They know that what God has for them is as great as what they envision. They choose to believe and walk by faith as if that vision is already revealed in their lives.
People who know who they are in Christ praise God for His love for them. They know He never leaves or forsakes them (Hebrews 13:15). They don’t live by their emotions. They praise Him for what they can’t see but they know is real. The peace of God holds them steady through the ups and downs of life (Philippians 4:6-7). Confidence in the faithfulness of God gives them the power to stand strong no matter what happens. Their love of God abounds because they believe God loved them before they ever chose to receive His love (1 John 4:19). They receive God’s unconditional love without any hesitation, and they freely give as they have received (Matthew 10:8).
People who know who they are in Christ know that God wants to reveal himself to them—that He has given them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1:17). They believe that the Holy Spirit guides them into all truth. They know the Holy Spirit doesn’t speak on His own authority. Whatever He hears, He speaks (John 16:13).
Faith calls for our response (James 2:26). Our response of faith to what Christ has done for us pleases Him. And God rewards those who diligently seek to know who they are in Him (Hebrews 11:6) People who know their identity in Christ know how important it is for them to live by faith.
When you are a person of faith, you know and believe God’s love for you is unconditionally yours for eternity. You know that you don’t have to earn what Christ has already earned you. You believe everything the Word says you are. Knowing who you are in Christ—believing the position He has given you, sets you free to believe anything is possible.
When you appreciate what Jesus has given you, it keeps on appreciating and flourishing in your life. You know the value of what He has done for you.
When you start understanding who you are in Christ, then you start to understand the Resurrection power of the new life Christ has given you. What Christ accomplished on the Cross is already yours. You see that His finished work is done. You know that all has been won. And you walk not as the world defines you, but you walk by faith in who He says you are.
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for always teaching me who I am in Christ. I KNOW I am loved. My friend, know and believe who you are in Christ. You will have no doubt of His love for you.
© 2022 Lynn Lacher
www.lynnlacher.com/2022/08/a-person-of-faith.html
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