Who Do We Think We Are (Part 3)?
The following has been adapted from The Map Maker, our first book, written to encourage, edify, and equip leaders in the workplace to become disciple makers and transformation agents. This opportunity and adventure is available to all Christians. Well… all who think and believe rightly about themselves.
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15
When Christ came to establish the kingdom of God, He brought with Him a new kingdom order. This new government has official roles of authority and influence. Some have been carried over from the old, in a new and broader form (e.g., king, priest, and prophet). The King also established a number of new roles for administration of the New Covenant: Disciple makers, evangelists, elders, deacons, etc.
Imagine with me, if only for a moment: the royal priesthood in action, or a temple of God being, well, a temple of God. Imagine the smell of Christ’s aroma wafting in and out of your church fellowship. Image, if you can, the “greater than” works He promises for those who believe, on display for all to see.
Dare we do something more than imagine?
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
Rediscovering Our Identity
Perhaps more dramatically than at any other time in history, the church has lost her identity. Tragically, we have been deceived about our identity in God’s story. Like the man in James’ epistle, is it possible we have forgotten who we are (vv. 1:22-25).
Most Christians have allowed the world to define their identity. From well-intentioned parents, teachers and pastors, to mean-spirited oppressors, controllers and bullies, we have heard and accepted an identity much lower than our Creator intends. Of course, Satan is behind much of this. He is conspiring with our carnal nature, suggesting we settle for less.
Without a true sense of identity, we easily forget the authority and influence God delegates to us for the church and the world. Consequently, the people of God either avoid the battle or find ourselves engaging the enemies of God with both hands tied behind our backs.
Finding and keeping our identity is one of most challenging and critical battles we face. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy had no idea of their importance in the battle for Narnia until they discovered they were the kings and queens. Like them, it is time we discovered who we are – not for ourselves, but for God’s glory and for His kingdom.
As we explore our identity in Christ, lay aside how you see your identity, and consider what it means to the Father and His Son. Put yourself in Their shoes. Why have They identified you in this way – both generally (as a member of the church) and in your specific roles? What do They see in you?
Consider your identity in Christ’s kingdom from the perspective of His followers within your spheres of influence. Who you are to them says something profound about your identity. What do they see in you? What does Christ desire you to be for them?
Lastly, even the lost are drawn to you by the Holy Spirit, who dwells in you. Why are they coming to you? What do they hope to see or find?
It can be a challenge to consider your identity and influence from another’s perspective. We have become such self-focused people. You will have to be other-focused and self-controlled. I assure you it will be worth the effort; for you will discover there is more to you than you have believed.
Just imagine… ask… and believe.
God’s Perspective
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right (aka, authority) to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12
The enemies of God and His people (i.e., Satan, the world, and our carnal mind) would have us believe delegated authority is for a special group of people. Regrettably, some have been taught and believe God’s list of authorized Christians is very short, and the delegation of His authority narrow and focused.
Nothing could be further from the truth! God has established three identities all Christians are called to fulfill in the New Covenant: Disciple, bondservant, and ambassador.
Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19
Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. Matthew 8:23
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40
Disciples follow their teacher and are made to be like him. This is much different than “student”. Students seek to learn only what they need to know, while disciples surrender to their teacher to become like Him.
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men — as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 1Peter 2:15-16
A bondservant of God is one who has volunteered to serve; believing life under the Master’s reign is better than a life of independence. A bondservant is eager to know his Master’s heart and to do his bidding.
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 2Corinthians 5:20
As ambassadors, we must recognize our responsibility to the kingdom of God; we are kingdom citizens first. We are the ekklesia, called out to transform cultures, not become subordinate to them. Ambassadors carry with them the rights of the kingdom of origin. The responsibilities and rights of our Master are far greater than those of this world.
The lifestyle of a bondservant-disciple-ambassador looks very different from what we see in the lifestyle of the average Christian – different mindset, different activity, etc. What do you think our King expects to see when He looks out over His kingdom people? What does He see in your future? What influence do you carry?
Just imagine… ask… and believe.
Christ’s Perspective
For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Luke 7:28
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Matthew 10:1
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12
Have you considered what Christ must have imagined for those who would follow Him? Don’t let your opinion of yourself limit your consideration of this. What exploits filled His anticipations? Greater than the prophets! Doing greater things than He! What does He desire for His followers and the people He has placed in our spheres of influence?
Just imagine… ask… and believe.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; Ephesians 4:11-13
Did you know Christ gave these gifts to the church? Have you ever considered you might be one of them? Have you asked Him which gift He intends for you to be for Him and His church? What might the church anticipate from you as His gift? What influence and authority have you been given for the equipping of the saints?
Just imagine… ask… and believe.
The Church’s Perspective
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:5b-6
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1Peter 2:9
God and His children, in heaven and on earth, know Jesus Christ has made us kings and priests – a royal priesthood. What does this mean to them? Are we carrying ourselves and wielding the authority of a king, or a pauper?
Just imagine… ask… and believe.
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1Peter 2:4-6
The holy priesthood were the only ones who could enter the Holy of Holies, where God dwelt between the cherubim and seraphim. What did the people think of those who walked worthy of such an anointing and privilege? What influence did they have with the people of God?
Just imagine… ask… and believe.
And what about the positions of elder and deacon?
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:14-15
For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 1Timothy 3:13
What is Christ and His Body hoping for from these individuals? Are we taking full advantage of their anointing for the spiritual and physical needs of the fellowship? Why not? Are you one of them?
Just imagine… ask… and believe.
The World’s Perspective
Lastly, let us consider our identity in the world, with those lost and wandering outside the Kingdom of God. Have you ever considered what it means to be the temple of God on the earth?
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1Corinthians 3:16
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.” 2Corinthians 6:16
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:21-22
We are the temple of the New Covenant; dedicated for the habitation of God. Like temples past, the presence and glory of God should fill us, and we should become the place where God can be seen and experienced.
Most important to Jesus here, we are the place where the rest of humanity will know God works on their behalf: to repair all that has been broken, and to know our God forgives and restores.
God established the temple as a holy place of sacrifice, forgiveness, atonement, meeting, and restoration. Those in the world who are drawn by the Holy Spirit, though they may not know it, are looking for evidence of God’s grace in us – that they themselves might hope for the same.
So, what does this say about your authority in the world? Who has He drawn into your sphere of supernatural influence?
Just imagine… ask… and believe.
Each of these identities comes with the King’s delegated authority, influence, and power to serve the church and impact a lost and fallen world. There are no coincidences for God’s children. Every Christian has been placed in a sphere of influence God intends to transform.
Furthermore, God has appointed each one to an assignment requiring the assistance and fellowship of other individuals. Our faithful service must include discovering and leveraging each other’s identities.
It is high time we stepped into the identity and influence given to us – individually and in fellowship – by God Almighty.
God bless you with grace and courage to search out the center of His will in the identity He has given you.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob
#iamjustthepen