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A CASE OF TWO IDENTITIES.

by ROBIN BOSCH  
4/21/2016 / Christian Living


It's wonderful to know that if we are believers in Christ, we are also identified with Him.
All that He is, we are -
All that He did, we got -
By Him, through Him and for Him.

But there is confusion as to the mechanics of our new life in Christ. How sad it is, that as born again Spirit filled believers, we walk about as migrants in a "never never" land, caught between two countries and two identities. Not firmly believing that a change has taken place.

The devil would have us believe that we are rotten through and through and we are just the same: "No change." That's simply not true. We are the possesses of a passport that is sealed and stamped by the Holy Spirit and endorsed by Christ's Blood. (Eph.1:13) (Rom. 3:25) (Heb.9:14) (1.Jn.5:8)
We are seated in heavenly places - invited to boldly approach the throne of Grace.
We are temples of the Holy Spirit - His possession -
Translated from death to life.

Let me explain the transition from one identity to another, using myself as an example.

Common to all of humanity I was a product or replica of my culture and environment. As a child I was exposed to good and bad which influenced my outlook and behavior.

Using modern terminology, my "hard drive" was programmed to behave or operate in a certain way. Before I was converted and believed the Gospel: the prince of this world, the devil, had free reign, having "downloaded" the norms and values of the world into my "mainframe."

I inherited a mind-set, let's call it Adams DNA (who committed high treason in the Garden of Eden,) walking in the way of my five senses, doing things natural, good and pleasing to my carnal perception of right and wrong.

These were sadly manifested by bad habits and actions contrary to Gods law. In other words I walked in the flesh. "( Eph.2:3) Among whom also (I )had (my) conversation in times past in the lusts of (my) flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and (was) by nature (a) (child) of wrath, even as others.
(See also Gal.5:17)

That's who I was in my "OLD IDENTITY"

But the moment I accepted Christ as the perfect sacrifice for my sins, I received a NEW IDENTITY, the DNA of God Himself having being imbedded into my spirit. I became by nature a child of Gods goodness, acceptance and blessing. When I accepted Gods Son as the only passport into heaven, the Holy Spirit was "downloaded," into my spirit. I received a new identity "..........which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."(Eph.4:23)

From then on I started growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2Pe.3:18) as I exposed and saturating myself with His New Covenant of Grace.

"The eyes of (my) understanding being enlightened; that ( I ) may know what is the hope of (my) calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints," (Eph 1:18)

It followed of course that when I allow my mind to be infiltrated by negative oratory, contrary to the truth of the Gospel (the Good News), I quench the Spirit of God within me, allowing religion, people, places and things to sidetrack and distract me from a life of peace in believing. (Rom.15:13)

These distractions lead me to a mind set of bondage and fear, quenching the freedom and liberty the Holy Spirit imparted. "For ( I ) have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ( I ) have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby ( I ) cry, Abba, Father." (Rom 8:15)

God the Father become my Abba, meaning Daddy. As such
He never meant me to focus on the fleshly carnal and tangible -
the realm of my five senses -
the realm of my old identity; but wanted me to accept the reality of the Kingdom of God in Christ
the realm of the Spirit -
the realm of faith - "Christ in (me) the hope of glory."(Col 1:27)

My nature is now eternally founded and grounded on His Kingdom nature. But here's the thing : I cannot perceive my Kingdom heritage with carnal vision, religious tradition, culture, outward circumstance and even the sin I may commit. When I do, I inevitably become bogged down with the temporal to the exclusion of the eternal, for, ...."That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."(Joh 3:6)

I have to constantly adjust my antenna to receive the correct messages," ....Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of (my) faith;" Heb.12:2 . Reminding myself, "If ( I ) live in the Spirit, let (me) also walk in the Spirit.(Gal 5:25)

Who I identify with, defines who I will be like. If I continue to act out of character of "who I am in Christ" I will naturally lean towards that which I am identifying with. That's why it's very important for me to believe who I am, in my new nature - His nature in me, changing me and conforming me from glory to glory.

I have to constantly adjust my sights and get my eyes off myself i.e. my past, my sin and realign them onto Christ. The King of the Kingdom desires that I get my eyes focused on who He is instead of who I was in the flesh, for ".......( I ) am not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in (me)........"(Rom 8:9a)

It only takes a moment, a split second for me to fall into a state of self flagellation, oppression, repression and condemnation - focussing on myself. The moment I find myself in a position of subjugation - restricting my heavenly standing, position and new identity, I turn back to the old country so to speak.

In the new country (new identity) I can state categorically with conviction and say.......
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2Co 5:17 )

Paul said, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."(Phil.3:13-14)

I'm to forget the old and live in the new. I am crucified with Christ , nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me and the life that I now live I live by the faith of the Son of God.

You see, without faith and a determined belief in my new creation standing in Christ, I become stunted and wallow in a quagmire of doubt and unbelief, thus living in a new country but identifying with the old.

Paul said that I was to ......"reckon (myself) to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ (my) Lord." (Rom 6:11) it is a faith matter not based on my five senses, not based on what I am but on who Jesus is.

I may ask, "Can this be true?
If I focus on my old identity - No! but if focus on my new identity in Christ, absolutely, Yes!

When I neglect to walk by faith in my NEW IDENTITY, I stumble into "the valley of despond." (Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan)
My Kingdom vision becomes blurred and I get caught between a rock and a hard spot. The Rock being Christ (new identity) and the hard spot being my (old identity) who's nature is conformed to the devil and all he represents: caught in a mixture of Law and Grace - my righteousness verses Gods Righteousness.

In order for me to walk and flourish in my NEW IDENTITY Paul stated the following:
"......be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, ......
(Rom 12:2a)
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly......"(Col 3:16a)

In other words, when I delve into the perfect law of liberty (Ja.1:25) and eat from the Bread of Life, (Jn.6:51) I renew the spirit of my mind, which will refresh, energize and conform me to the Holy Spirit dwelling in my spirit.

I am not to walk as one who is uncertain, beating the air (1.Cor.1:26) but one gazing steadfastly on the face of Jesus -
the God of all Grace -
the finisher of my faith. (Heb.2:2)
I'm no longer a dirty rotten sinner, but a Blood bought, cleansed son, transformed from darkness into light.

That's who I am now, in Christ. MY NEW IDENTITY gives me purpose and possibilities, generated from the new Covenant of Grace; not the old letter generated by the Law and self righteous endeavor.

The point I'm making Is that I'm to be steadfast, immovable as to my "NEW IDENTITY," for a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.(Ja.1:8)

I must rejoice and be glad that because I have accepted Christ's perfect sacrifice for me on Mount Calvary:
I have been given a New garment -
A New nature -
A New spirit -
A New mind-
I'm a New creation,
in a New country,
with a New passport.
I have a New commandment
under a New Covenant of Grace verified in Christ's Blood.
And
I am waiting for a New heaven and a New earth where I will drink New wine with Christ in His Kingdom.

THEREFORE ALL THINGS ARE NEW IN CHRIST JESUS.
Amen.

Note.
Some scriptures quoted above - (** I changed into the first person singular for emphasis and clarity)

INVITATION.
To all those who feel that as yet they have not received the free gift of Gods Love and Grace. Those who have come to the end of themselves - who's burdens have become just too heavy - the devil having loaded you with guilt, condemnation and shame. This invitation is for those who have not crossed over into the New Land of Christ's peace.

Jesus says, "Come." Today if you'll hear His voice, just come and be loved by Him. Come and receive peace for your hungry and needy soul. He loves you unconditionally, no strings attached. You don't have to first get yourself right - No, No - just come as you are.

Jesus wants you to come home. He wants you to receive the free gift of life, His Life. Can you hear Him calling you? "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Pray this prayer with me:
Lord Jesus I need you so badly. I have really messed up. I have sinned in so many ways and hurt myself and others in so many ways. I acknowledge and confess my sins, realizing I need a Savior. I am a sinner, forgive me. You came into this world to save sinners not good people. Those who are well don't need a doctor but those who are sick really need one. I am sick of heart and soul. You are the Great Physician, the only Savior and healer of the world. "Thou my sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow."

By faith I accept you into my heart and my life - wash me as white as snow with Your Precious Blood shed for me on the Cross of Calvary.

Thank you, from now on I can walk in newness of life.
I've been given a new passport and a new identity.
My home is no longer this present world, my home is in heaven. A home of hope and peace starting this very moment.

Thank you that I believe I am now saved, washed and made clean by Your Blood. "For by Grace I am saved through faith and not of myself - it is a free gift." I accept your free gift of Grace and Mercy.
Amen.

I have been a believer in Christ for many years. It has only been in the last three or four years that I have received greater insight into the Grace of God. This has injected me with energy to tell others about the blessed "rest" we have in Christ. Grace is not a theology but is a Person-- Jesus.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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