With Memorial Day just past, as we remember and honor the sacrifices made for our earthly freedom, let us also consider the spiritual freedom won by Christ and so many brothers and sisters who fought and are fighting for the Faith – that we might walk in the privilege and responsibilities of God’s kingdom.
I find myself happy to identify as co-heir, friend, king, priest, ambassador, disciple, and even bond-servant, but slow in response to the expectations and responsibilities of my kingdom identity. My primary motivation should certainly be love for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – the Ones who made my identity possible and real.
However, with love comes duty. Indeed, those of us who enjoy such positions of privilege are also duty bound to live as we were made. No one is sort of a son, sort of a follower, sort of a priest, etc. We are, or we are not. God’s promises are conditioned on our response. So, let’s consider what a few of these realities, these identities, require of us.
Co-heir
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:16-17
How many times have you heard this verse… in part? Probably a lot. We love to acknowledge our co-heir status. However, we would rather not, and therefore we seldom, consider the condition. Sharing in Christ’s suffering is a condition of our becoming sons and daughters of God.
It’s probably important to note that “identifying with” and “benefitting from” are not the same as “sharing in”. Suffering for God’s kingdom, name, and glory are Christian distinctives.
Friend
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. John 15:14
Being the friend of Jesus is a particularly heart-warming notion, but only a reality for those who do what He commands. This reminds me: Depending on how you break them out, Jesus gave somewhere between 50 and 100+ commands… just in the Sermon on the Mount! How many must we obey to consider ourselves His friend? How many do we even know?
Most of Jesus’ commands run counter to our sense of self, rights, and justice (e.g., turn the other check, walk the extra mile). We don’t naturally do them. To assume so threatens our friendship with the Lord of the Universe.
Holy Priesthood
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chose 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 2:4-5
From Andrew Murray (2007): “As the fruit of His work, all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest.” This notion of our holy priesthood pushed me down this train of thought (about our privilege and responsibility as kingdom citizens). Murry goes on to say, “…it is the highest privilege of a child of God, the mark of greatest nearness and likeness to Him (meaning Christ).
But what does it mean “to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God”? Well, “holy” suggests full consecration to God, to be set apart to Him alone for His purposes and will. Romans 12:1 helps us understand the sacrifice God has in mind.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1
It is simply reasonable for us to offer our bodies (i.e., our entire being) as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Let’s do one more to draw this out further.
Disciple
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Mark 8:34
And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27
One might argue the identity we most often claim comes with the most challenging conditions. Denying one’s self is quite the opposite of the American life. I suspect my carnal mind works hardest to distract me from this one responsibility and condition. Actually, I am sure of it.
And when my carnal mind’s distraction tactics fail, there is always the deception of compromise to fall back on: Surely Jesus doesn’t mean everything. Well, as you know, Jesus does mean everything. And He doesn’t mean later.
Lastly, to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, we must take up and bear our cross, and follow Him with it. Guess where that road leads? As the Father sent Him, so He has sent us (John 20:21). The Christian walk is a death march, and the condition of our becoming His disciples.
The Point of All This
I cannot speak for anyone but myself, but I suspect you also desire the full and abundant life promised by our good King (John 10:10). I suspect you also hunger for the greater-than life He promised to those who believe (John 14:12). The key to that life is the rediscovery of a truth too long sacrificed to a cheaper gospel: The promises of God are conditional.
There is simply no getting around it: The promises of God are conditional on our response. The Christian faith is a transformational, progressive walk – from faith to faith, and glory to glory. Simply acknowledging the truth will not get us there. Discipline, diligence, and determination are required, and in greater measure than we have exercised to this point.
In closing, let us be encouraged: Our identities in the kingdom of God are not heavy burdens. They are honors, privileges, and opportunities. And get this: They are the identities and callings of every believer. We are – all of us – commanded to pursue them, regardless of the cost.
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit give all they require of us (read that again). We are left with one simple response, the one thing required of us: We simply must choose and allow Them to work all things to their good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Those who repent and turn to the Lord will enjoy times of refreshing in His presence (Acts 3:19).
God bless you with wisdom and courage to pursue your full identity in Christ.
Have a strong day in the Lord,
Rob
#iamjustthepen