Who Do We Think We Are (Part 2)?
Giving attention to this question will help us navigate the chaos of this decade and stand strong in the storms destined to test our foundations. God would have us know the truth. He would have us seek Him for the answer. Ultimately, He would have us believe what He has to say.
Our heavenly Father desires to guide us into all truth, so let’s ask Him. Pray with me:
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
Part 1 of this series reminded us of our futile tendency to pursue godliness as self-made gods, using the ways of the world (e.g., the scientific method) to understand and master the universe for ourselves. Consequently, we invest abundantly more time and energy seeking to know and define creation from a humanistic perspective, than we do pursuing intimacy with our Creator.
The enemies of God – Satan, the world, and our carnal minds – conspire together to distract and deceive us, as they have since our fall from glory (Romans 3:23). Based on biblical account and recent human history, it seems we are hell-bent on our fallen state. I see this in myself (as a man who has pursued God for decades) and wonder what is wrong with me. Why would anyone neglect so great a salvation?
Perhaps we don’t understand the greatness of the salvation offered. Perhaps we have not properly examined our heart to understand what we believe God desires and has made possible for His children. And so, we must ask the question…
Who do we think (and believe) we are?
A New Creation
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2Corinthians 5:17
Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation!
Anyone!
That means every Christian, right?
And it says “is”, not “will be”!
That means now, right?
So, as a Christian, how often do we think of ourselves in this way? If someone were to ask, “What does it mean to be a Christan?”, would this be one of the first things we offer?
Practice saying it with me, “I am, right now, a new creation.” Does that resonate with our hearts, or is it stuck in our heads? Do we believe it? Has faith for this word of God been perfected in us (James 2:22)? In other words, are we living as new creations?
Before we search out this matter, pause and be encouraged: Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation! Do not allow the familiarity of this truth to distract you from embracing the mystery and magnitude of God’s word. Do not allow the depths of this truth to discourage you from digging deeper.
Respond passionately to the Holy Spirit’s encouragement and guidance. Press in closer and receive the truths that make us free. May we all recognize the faith and the desire stirring in our hearts.
The Scriptures have much to say about our being born again, and little commentary is required. The following passages are ordered to encourage belief and understanding. If I sense God’s intention correctly for this article, those hungry for the abundant life will be filled and transformed.
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.'” John 3:5-7
Being born again means something rather important and should not be taken for granted. Write down what it means to you.
For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. Romans 8:19
This is not sweet-by-and-by talk. All of creation longs for those born of water and the Spirit to reveal themselves. This has been God’s intention since the beginning.
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27
Every person, Christian or not, is an image bearer of God; some more than others, because we have all fallen short…
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 3:23
…And only those who die and are born again may walk in newness of life, bearing His image in full.
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
Whatever you make of water baptism (i.e., born of water), it is certainly an important precursor to walking in the newness of life. Also notice the use of “should”, suggesting one might not walk this life out. Walking in newness of life is choice we must make, and keep on making.
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever… 1Peter 1:22-23
Humans are first born from seed that is corruptible (i.e., perishable or mortal). Those born again are born of incorruptible, or immortal, seed. Now, who is the source of incorruptible seed?
Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 1John 3:9-10
Christians are born of the seed of God – supernatural seed. We are therefore capable of more than we might expect. The one born of God cannot sin.
Here the truth gets challenging. Please, do not turn away from it. Our privilege as new-born sons and daughters of God is the knowledge and stewardship of His mysteries (Luke 8:10, 1Corinthians 4:1-2).
Indeed, the one born of God cannot sin. “How can this be? I sin every day!”, is a common response to this passage. Romans 7:20-25 provides the short answer:
Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me (v. 20).
Now get this: There is an “I” that does not “do what I will not to do” – the “I” who has been born of God. Paul closes this pivotal explanation of our precarious state by identifying the source of our sin.
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin (v. 25b).
We, meaning Christians, may serve the law of sin with our flesh, as we choose. This may be the epiphany: By grace, through faith, we are empowered to overcome our flesh and not sin, because we have been born of God. We prove the possibility of this every time we choose righteousness in word and deed.
Contrary to humanistic pragmatism, seeing is not believing. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Listen for the word of God. Write down what He is saying to you. Ask Him to examine your heart. What does your heart believe? Remember, it may not agree with your mind.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… 1Peter 1:3
Two quick things here. First, God’s abundant mercy. The depths of His mercy are unfathomable, including mercy for our hearing, believing, and walking in newness of life. Say, “Father, I receive your mercy and grace to know this truth.”
Second, the hope we are born into is a living hope. This is not the way many of us live most of the time. Too many are pursuing new life in the cross. The cross is for dying. The sons of God believe in a “much more” life.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:8-10
As necessary as Jesus’ death is for our reconciliation with God, much more shall we be saved through His life.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by [the faith of] the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
New birth promises new life. That life is the life of the Son of God. With that life comes light (John 1:4), new thinking (1Corinthians 2:16; Romans 12:2), and “the faith of the Son of God (the literal translation of this verse).”
…for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Acts 17:28
We are first born into the race of Adam. We are born again into a supernatural race – into Jesus Christ. From there, we abide in Him, bear the fruit of the Spirit, and glorify our Father in heaven (John 15:7-8).
As we come to a close, it will help to keep in mind God’s grace for all that He desires and commands. He has given us all we need to walk fully in newness of life.
His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2Peter 1:3-4
And so, we circle back to the revealing of the sons (and daughters) of God – the desire of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the earnest expectation of all creation. We may now become partakers of the divine nature.
And, what might that look like?
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
“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Revelation 19:7-8
All things are possible with God. Let us pray and pursue the day – in our lifetime – when the sons and daughters of God are revealed.
God bless you with faith and understanding of His mysteries, and exceedingly great joy in the fullness of new life.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob
#iamjustthepen
P.S. The mysteries associated with our new life in Christ are some of the deepest truths God has entrusted to our stewardship. Please let me know if you have questions or desire to search them out further. It has been my joy and blessing to do so for over twenty years. God has been merciful and gracious to me. He loves talking with His children.