1038. A Case of Stolen Identity

Our former days from working in radio brings a reminder of something the FCC required at the top of every hour for broadcasters. It's called a "Legal ID," where each station airs their call letters and city of license.

From a Christian spiritual perspective, what would appear on your ID if it were printed out ... similar to a driver’s license or other form of identification? How do you see yourself inwardly? How are you described?

If your identity is based upon what you do, that might fall under the category of a "legalistic ID." Requirements and demands that need to be met in order to become something you think you have not yet attained are just examples of stolen identity that empty religion has tricked us into giving away out of ignorance.

On the other hand, one of the greatest discoveries found in the gospel of grace is coming to realize how God already identifies us in the here and now. Righteous, perfected, blameless, sanctified, and so much more ... and it's not just how "He sees you" but it is who you are as a child who has inherited without trying to do anything to make it happen. We can now live from this "God life" that abides within as God produces it through us.



   
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1037. Under Grace: Forgive Others *Because* God Has Forgiven You

Have you lived in fear of wondering whether God has forgiven you because you've had struggles forgiving others? This is often related to a "scary" statement Jesus made to His disciples during the "Sermon on the Mount." But we need to consider why Jesus said what He said and to whom He was speaking. In the previous chapter during His talk with these Jewish disciples who were still under an impossible law, He explained their righteousness will need to exceed that of the Pharisees—the assumed pinnacle of dedication to God at that time. Ultimately, Jesus summed it up by saying they would need to be perfect in all that they did when it came to the law.

What Jesus said after providing them with instructions for praying was not a threat for us who live in a different covenant of grace. "Forgive others or God won't forgive you." This was based on the law they were under at that time ... a completely different system. But without the knowledge of differentiating between two different covenants, Bible verses will be misapplied. Now, in order for us to forgive others—which is important—we begin to grow in our understanding of how God has already and completely forgiven us through Jesus Christ and His blood. With the help of God's Spirit from within, we have been empowered to forgive in the same way God has forgiven us. But let's not allow religion to burden people by getting this backwards. It's not a have-to or a requirement, but a response out of love and grace.



   
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1036. Will God Forgive You if You Don't Forgive Others?

Jesus made a statement to His disciples after giving them what is commonly referred to as The Lord's Prayer in Matthew Chapter 6.

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

As we compare this to some things Paul said about forgiveness in Ephesians chapters 1 and 4 (for example), we'll see a contrast. Did Paul and Jesus have a theological disagreement? Of course, this is not the case. But something changed from the time Jesus said what He said to His disciples before the cross, and when Paul was writing to believers after the cross. Forgiving others is important ... but it is not required as some sort of quid pro quo in order to be forgiven by God. But the power of God abiding in us will help us to forgive when we think it seems too difficult.



   
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1035. Like the Apostles, We Don't Know Everything

It's easy to look at "Bible characters" such as the apostles and assume they were some type of spiritual super-humans who understood everything there is to know about God.

In their writings, there are references to growing in various ways when it comes to Jesus, our knowledge of the truth, His grace and love, etc. We'll always be learning, otherwise, eternity might get rather dull.

Regardless of how God chooses to use people in extraordinary ways, it doesn't change the fact that we're all humans who depend upon God to reveal truth and enlighten us to grow in our spiritual understanding. This week, we'll look at just one example which left many Jewish believers and apostles divided due to a lack of understanding when it came to the first covenant and the new one that replaced it.



   
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1034. "Even His Brothers Did Not Believe in Him"

Our conversation this week takes a different approach on avoiding the judgment of others when it comes to trying to identify whether or not they are saved or considered as believers in Christ. We find passages in the Bible where it's easy to jump to the wrong conclusions and allow human speculation and misdirected theology of the written pages to put God in a box, which limits His love and grace.

The brothers who shared the same mother with Jesus did not believe in Him. The disciples saw Him after His resurrection and worshipped Him—but some still doubted. Others who came to believe after the resurrection were also zealous for a law of works, considered as part of an ongoing formula that had been wiped out and abolished without them realizing it.

We're providing some food for thought for all of us to consider. But Jesus promised something even better that can bring people to a place where they will never hunger or thirst again. That's the ball we should keep our eyes upon.



   
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1033. Jesus: "Who Do You Say That I Am?"

"So Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you'" (John 6:53).

This was one small piece of a passage that had people trying to figure out just exactly what Jesus was saying. This not only included those opposed to Jesus but also those who had been following Him. In fact, many of the disciples left at that point.

Jesus asked the twelve who were left if they also wanted to depart. There are things Jesus said that contained words of truth where the understanding with the mind was unfruitful ... but something within their hearts that had been revealed about Jesus caused them to realize that He was their only hope for eternal life.

The same is true today with people who lack understanding about spiritual things, statements from Jesus, and Bible writings. But this will not prevent God from revealing truth to us when it comes to Jesus. Believing doesn't require intellectual comprehension.



   
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1032. "Hey Jesus, What Must We Do?"

Chairs within church buildings are filled with people week after week who just want someone to tell them what they need to do to experience God's blessings and acceptance. They just want to know they are right with God.

In John chapter 6, after seeing Jesus perform some miracles, a group of people went looking for Him across the sea—who previously had their stomachs filled with what started out as a few loaves and a couple of fish. Jesus accused them of not seeking Him because they saw signs ... but because of their experience at the all-you-can-eat buffet. It led them to ask the question: "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered: "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

Their next question was even more significant. Why? Because it put the focus on the Savior and His work to reconcile people to God instead of us trying to do something to experience the fullness of God's life and blessings. Partaking of the Bread of Life will keep people from hungering and thirsting for God's righteousness.



   
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