Identity

The old has gone. We're no longer defined by our separation from God but restored into a relationship with him. We're no longer defined by our old identity. Our former identity, the guilt, the bondage, it's all gone. Since cost is paid, its power is broken. And this is the work that God does in us, but we have a part to play too. We have to not only accept the gift that he offers of being a new creation, but also the challenge to live the life of a new creation, to turn away from sin. And the new is here. [00:13:09] (43 seconds)  #IdentityRestored

It's not fixed or renovated. It's not improved. It's a new creation, a brand new creation. The old is gone. And that can happen instantaneously or it can happen progressively over time and that's something that I struggled with when I came to know Christ because we so often hear with the big thunderbolt moments, Damascus Road experiences. But more often it's a slow and progressive shift and this doesn't mean that we become perfect human beings and that we will never step foot wrong again but it does mean that we are changed. That we see things differently. [00:12:30] (38 seconds)  #TransformedNotRenovated

You have the right to become a child of God that is freely given. Just as a child might be adopted, so we are spiritually adopted. We become a part of God's family. And this new identity is not based on earthly status or what you've done in your life or your achievements, it's your relationship with God. Believe and receive. It really is that simple. We have a tendency to overcomplicate things, to use way more words than we need to, but believe and receive. God gives, we receive. [00:18:40] (37 seconds)  #BelieveAndReceive

You're not pretending to be something that you're not. You're not trying to behave in a certain way. It's transformation. And in this case it is instant. Soon as you receive Christ and believe in his name, you become a child of God. There's no seven working days and we'll come back to you. It's instant. Just as in the Roman culture, adoption meant full acceptance into family and rights as a son or daughter. So to be true for us as children of God, we are given full standing. [00:19:37] (32 seconds)  #AdoptedInChrist

So in Roman adoption, the old family name was erased, previous debts were cancelled, a new name would be given and the adopted child had full inheritance rights. And that sounds familiar, doesn't it? Because the old family name was erased so the old is gone. Previous debts were cancelled. Our sins are paid for. A new name will be given, new identity and the adopted children have full inheritance rights. We are co heirs of God. No, we're heirs of God and we're co heirs with Christ. Romans eight seventeen tells us that. [00:17:35] (44 seconds)  #HeirsWithChrist

What lies are you believing about yourself? Don't accept them. Challenge them. Does this match up with what Bart says about me? And don't just leave it there. Replace those lies with truth. Start living from your new identity. Be willing to let things shift if they need to. Whether it's your habits, your environments, relationships, whatever it might be for you. Not because you have to, but because your heart is changing. And then let God. Just let God deal with your roots. Don't just ask him to fix your fruit. Be willing to let real transformation happen. [00:23:23] (56 seconds)  #ReplaceLiesWithTruth

It means that you are no longer a slave to old patterns. You might still struggle but you're not stuck. Fear, people pleasing, insecurity, they're all part they're not part of who you are anymore. Even though you might still battle with them, it changes how you walk into a room. You don't have to prove your worth anymore because you're living from it. Authority knows authority comes from knowing who you are. And this is who God says you are. You were created in God's image. Your identity was fractured by sin but identity was restored through Christ and what he did on the cross. [00:20:28] (45 seconds)  #FreedFromOldPatterns

And this is why it is so important to read and to know scripture because the enemy will do anything to confuse you, to sow doubt, to make you question your worth and your purpose and your standing as a child of God. So the next time you start to believe I'm not good enough or I've messed up too much or I can't change, go to the truth. Go back to God's word. Who does God say you are? Because if that is not what God says you are, then that's not the truth. And if it's not the truth, then it's a lie and it's coming from the enemy. [00:21:20] (43 seconds)  #TruthOverLies