“So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander and hateful speech; like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment], if in fact you have [already] tasted the goodness and gracious kindness of the Lord. Come to Him [the risen Lord] as to a living Stone which men rejected and threw away, but which is choice and precious in the sight of God. You [believers], like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: “BEHOLD, I AM LAYING IN ZION A CHOSEN STONE, A PRECIOUS (honored) C ORNERSTONE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] WILL NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED [in his expectations].” This precious value, then, is for you who believe [in Him as God’s only Son—the Source of salvation]; but for those who disbelieve, “THE [very] STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,” and, “A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE ”; for they stumble because they disobey the word [of God], and to this they [who reject Him as Savior] were also appointed. But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A CONSECRATED NATION, A [special] PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were NOT A PEOPLE [at all], but now you are GOD’S PEOPLE; once you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”
1 Peter 2:1-10 AMP
When someone asks you who you are, how do you respond? It’s a loaded question I know, but just think for a second. Who are we really? As believers in Jesus Christ, we’re more than the family we are born to. I’m more than Wilfred and Mavis’ daughter. I am a child of God. If I’m to believe what 2 Corinthians 5:17 says about me, my old identity has been changed to His. I’m a brand new person! I may look the same to you, but look closer, you should see my new identifying features beginning to emerge. We sound more and look like whoever we’re around the most. If I’m not demonstrating the new then the problem lies with me. If I’m “in Christ” something has to change. The process of becoming Christlike, began the day I surrendered my life to His.
So if someone were to ask you who are you? How would you respond. That question is different than asking what is your name. It’s asking something much deeper. It’s more a question of how do you see or identify yourself. The new creation experience literally translates us into the Kingdom of God’s Son. We go from being nobodies to being Royalty. From paupers to being joint heirs, from darkness to light, all in one swoop. It takes some of us longer to realize who we are, but in our Father’s eyes, we are new. We’re viewed no more by the mistakes and failures of our past, but through the finished work of Jesus Christ. When we begin to identify ourselves by our new identity, we’ll begin to walk it out. So go ahead, tell me who you are?
I’m a born again child of the living God. The Creator of the universe is my daddy. Jesus my elder brother, has redeemed me by His blood, He calls me righteous. He calls me chosen, He calls me royal. I identify with my new adopted family. We see ourselves in light of how we identify ourselves. Believe what the Bible says about you and nothing else. If we have done what Peter admonishes us to do, then we’re on our way. Change takes time, but change requires our cooperation. We have to make a conscious effort to believe God’s Word about us. I had to talk to myself about what God said about me. I had a low estimation of myself. The Holy Spirit has to teach me how to love myself. How to value myself. When I discovered who I was in Christ, it revolutionized my entire life. It didn’t matter my mistakes and failures. I am a new creation. It didn’t matter how many times I fell, I’m a new creation. Romans 8:1 became a rallying cry for me. My righteousness was not because of me but in spite of me.
Peter said we stumble and fall when we disobey the message. But that’s not what we’re destined for if we turn around and put away unbelief. If we refuse to accept the finished work of Christ, then we’re destined to fail and stumble. He said rid yourself of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander. These things rob us of our identity in Christ. Instead, he continues, become like newborn babies, desiring or craving the pure spiritual milk of the Word, so that by it we can grow up in our new life. When? Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. So who are you? Are you rocking your new identity, your new adopted family resemblance?
Read verse 9-10 again. But this time get a mirror and then repeat the words to yourself. Do you think for one minute that William struggles to tell the world he is prince William? Do you think Kate struggles or ask people not to curtsy when she’s greeted? We have a higher pedigree than them all. So why are we struggling with our identity in Christ? If He says I’m royal priesthood, then I’m wearing it. Listen, I ask the Holy Spirit what to wear before I get dressed for any event. His approval matters because I’m representing Him. After all, He’s the One who told me I was beautiful. So I dress for His approval.
When you know better, you do better. When you accept His invitation to become new, you are new. What has transpired on the inside, will find its way to the outside. We cannot continue to live the same, it doesn’t fit who we are. The problem Princess Megan is having now is that she wants to remain a commoner, while married to a prince- Prince Harry. He’s having problems because, he being a prince, wants to live as a commoner. It will take a miracle to make that work. The same applies to us. We can’t live like sinners, when we’ve been adopted into royalty. It’s like Cinderella’s slippers, it’s made for her, it won’t fit you. We’ve been made righteous, the world’s ways won’t fit. It no longer suits who we’ve become or are becoming. You can try, but it won’t work.
Embrace your identity in Christ. Try it the next time someone asks you who you are. They may be taken aback, but it will make for a good conversation starter. God cannot deny Himself, and neither should we His image bearers. Would you prefer the old list that once identified us. 1 Corinthians 6 & Ephesians 4. No! Absolutely not! Let us pursue with all our strength, every good thing our new life offers and wear Christ Jesus for all the world to see. We’re no longer ashamed or afraid. We are children of the Most High God! Jesus has presented us to the Father, clothed in His righteousness alone.
Call me royal, because that’s who I am. Call me holy, that’s who I am. Call me chosen, That’s who I am. He said it, whether I feel like, think like or look like it to myself or you, that’s who He says I am. Say it until you believe it, because it is true. I am who He says I am.
Father in the Name of Jesus I declare today, that I am who You say I am. It doesn’t matter my earthly family line, when I received Jesus everything became new. The stable didn’t change Jesus’ identity, neither did it diminish His glory. We are Your children and we share His identity. He prayed that you would glorify us with His glory and make us one with You. We embrace our new life because of His sacrifice on the cross. We have no need to be ashamed. We’re royalty! Thank You for the Holy Spirit bearing witness with our new spirit that we are your chosen children. In Jesus Name. Amen
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
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