As the hymn writer Albert Brumley composed, it is a grand and glorious feeling to be a child of God. On this Monday, it is a blessing to recount much of what God is teaching us at Bethlehem Baptist Church through His Word. Our discipleship class focused on the Identity of a Disciple and, as Pastor Zad exhorted us, “we are who we are because of whose we are”. Sunday Morning we were reminded from Exodus that “there is no God like our God” and He has liberated a people who were once held captive. Sunday night we were blessed in song and a great reminder from Ephesians that we worship for God’s glory because of who He is, and who we are in Him. That the redeemed are not products of circumstance or accident, but we are adopted sons and daughters through Jesus Christ.
It is vital that we remind ourselves every day that we are who we are because of whose we are. Culture is quick to label each of us by our successes and failures, by where we come from and who our family is and even the circumstances we find ourselves in. The blessing of Scripture and the Holy Spirit reminds us that truly, our identity is found in belonging to God through Jesus Christ. The question is, will you live your life out of the knowledge of whose you are?
A quick recap of where we are in study:
Exodus: God is showcasing his mighty works and hand to bring Israel out of bondage through the plagues. Each confronting Egypts “gods” and declaring to the Hebrew people that “You are My people, and I am your God.” (Ex 6:7). We see that their identity is not shaped by their circumstance in slavery, but by the Covenant made by God. Kent Hughes says it this way,
“God was not merely rescuing His people from bondage, but establishing a people for Himself, to bear His name before the nations.”
You see, their deliverance and freedom had a purpose – to witness to all people the Redeemer.
James: The Pastor in Jerusalem reminds us that truth will show in our daily lives. If we are Christ’s, our identity will prove out by the way we live. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22) If we are sons and daughters of God, our lives will look different. They will be saturated with obedience, faithfulness and endurance in trials while maintaining compassion and love for others. Adrian Rogers summarized this by saying,
“Faith that fizzles before the finish was faulty from the first.”
James records that actions will confirm the reality of our identity because we are no longer our own, but the Lord’s.
Discipleship Training – Identity: What we do comes because of whose we are. We are loved, forgiven, redeemed and chosen. That is why our lives reflect Jesus – not because we are trying to earn righteousness through our work, but because Christ’s righteousness is applied to our lives. Donald Whitney writes:
“The only identity that endures is who you are in Christ. All other labels fade, but being His disciple shapes every corner of your life.”
Another way to say this – you aren’t achieving your identity, it is received because of the grace of Christ. John Bunyan, who wrote the Pilgrim’s Progress, also wrote,
“He who is down needs fear no fall, he that is low, no pride; he that is humble ever shall have God to be his guide.”
If we know whose we are – that will bring security, humility and endurance.
Psalm 100
The psalmist likely penned down Psalm 100 as a praise of thanksgiving to be used in temple worship when Israel would bring offerings to the Lord. It serves as an encouragement and reminder for us today that our identity does not flow from ourselves, but our creator and redeemer.
“Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” (Ps 100:3)
Our lives and worship flow from our identity in God. There will be joy, gladness and a new song in our hearts. The life of a disciple is not a chore, but a life of response to knowing who God is. If we belong to Him, when the world becomes dark and heavy, we will raise our voices with a song of praise because we know our God is on the throne and in control.
How do we confidently say, “We are His?”
When the doubt creeps in, and the questions like – “Am I really God’s, does He really love me?” – look to God’s character. We turn to our feelings and forget who He is. We need the reminder that, “The Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Ps. 100:5)
We belong to Him not because of our performance, but because of his grace extended through His son Jesus Christ. If you would like to know more about the Gospel, and the salvation found in Christ, reach out to us. We would love to share the good news of Jesus Christ with you.
So what is our takeaway?
- Rejoice in God and remember His presence.
- Remember whose you are, and that defines who you are.
- Have a response of thanksgiving and daily worship
- Rest in the finished work of Jesus on Calvary, and His faithful love.
Child of God – rejoice today in the Lord’s love – “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Psalm 103:2)