Posted on by intentional4christ

Sanctification: Living our identity

Twenty years ago, I learned how to play the bass guitar. As someone new to the instrument, I was a blank slate ready to pick up a new skill. In those formative stages, I picked up a bad habit with my finger positioning and instead of my teacher to correct it, he assumed I would self-correct as I moved from novice to expert. However, much to my disappointment, my finger techniques did not get better, instead, I got good at using the wrong technique as those pathways formed in my brain. Its been twenty years and every time I pick up the guitar, I fall effortlessly into my old patterns of playing. My experience with the bass guitar is not unlike what it means to be a Christian. Let me explain.

When we accept Jesus into our hearts, something happens right away: we are translated from the kingdom of darkness into the God’s Kingdom and given a new identity as children of God. Our old self and all its trimmings are stripped off and everything about us is made new. This transformation happens instantly and we get adopted into God’s family under the terms of the New Covenant. For those of you not aware of what the New Covenant is, this was a contract that God made with Himself to redeem humankind from sin and destruction and to bring us back into relationship and fellowship with Him. God came down to earth in human form in the person of Jesus Christ and fulfilled the covenant by taking on the punishment that everyone deserved. Since covenants are usually sealed with blood, the covenant was fulfilled when Jesus shed his blood through death on the cross; and now those who accept that the penalty has been paid for their sins by Jesus Christ, get to enjoy the benefits of the covenant. Under the terms of this covenant, we are given the identity as children of God which is a two-fold identity: as kings (royalty) and priests. In another post, I will break down our identity as royal priesthood. This work of Jesus was finished thousands of years ago and even before time began. We do not have to do anything to earn this benefit; it has already been accomplished. All one has to do is to accept this free gift of salvation.

What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4: 1-7

So what has this got to do with the bass guitar? As people born into sin, we have been coached, groomed, and formed into sinful habits and patterns which come naturally to us. When we accepted the free gift of salvation, our new identity as heirs of the Kingdom of God was instant but our mindset, habits, and patterns which have been fashioned after the ways of this world takes time to adjust. We need to learn how to be free from the slavery of sinful living. We need to learn how to act as children of God. We need to learn how to exercise our dominion as heirs and representatives of God’s kingdom here on earth. But this switch in identity does not come easily to us. Just like my finger techniques on the bass, it is easy to comfortably remain enslaved by a life that is not fitting of an heir of the Kingdom of God. It is easier to be a slave than to enjoy freedom if slavery is all you have ever known. Scripture says:

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free (John 8:36 NLT)…It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1NIV)

So how do we live like we are free? By the renewing of our minds (Romans 12: 2) until Christ is formed in us (Galatians 4:19). This week my counsellor said to me, “You cannot change your behavior and the way you feel until you change the way you think.” This is similar to what Romans 12: 2 tells us but with an important caveat:

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2 NLT

The only way we can change our behaviours and live in the new identity that Jesus gifts us is by changing the way we think. The secular world says, “If you think it, you can be it.” Problem is, we cannot do it by ourselves; we have always had a mentality that is counter to our new identity. If we try to change our thinking by own strength, all we do is go back to our familiar core beliefs and neural pathways. God has to transform us by changing the way we think. As we walk with Him in fellowship- reading our bibles, praying, spending time with other people of similar identity, God’s spirit works on our heart to change the way we think. and when we change the way we think, we become more like Him.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…

Proverbs 23:7a

This is why God is so interested in our hearts. Because that is where the transformation happens to make us live out our identity. This transformation is what we call sanctification. One of the ways we are sanctified (or made holy) is by the word of God, which is truth. The word of God reveals to us our true identity so that we can walk in the freedom of that identity. Jesus prayed:

Sanctify them by your truth; your word is truth.

John 17:17 NIV

The things we do in the process of sanctification, do not earn us our identity as children of God. We already are children of God. Sanctification helps us to be (live, talk, act, think) like children of God. The bible is not a rule book in the sense that you do not need rules to be children of God but we certainly need instructions and guidance on how to live like children of God; particularly since we have not always been part of God’s family until Jesus made it so.

So dear friends, I leave you with these thoughts: You do not do anything to earn God’s salvation you just have to accept it. Once you do, you have to live like one who has become part of God’s family- and we do that through sanctification by letting God transform the way we think so we can act like children of the King. It is not always easy, and sometimes we forget who we are. Jesus told a parable in Luke 15 of a wealthy man who had two sons. One son asked for his inheritance and squandered it to the point where he became destitute. He ended up working in a pig sty and was so hungry he contemplated eating the grub he was feeding the pigs. Sometimes we forget our identity and end up in situations akin to the pig sty. Jesus is here to remind you that just like that prodigal son was no less of his father’s son, the fact that you may be in a sticky situation today does not make you any less of God’s child. He loves you just the same and He wants to remind you of who you are so you can walk out of that pig sty and return home. Will you allow God to transform the way you think today? Will you let Him sanctify you by the truth you have read today? Stand firm, my friends, in the identity that Jesus has given you and do not short change yourself as a child of God.

Yours truly.

p.s. We will remember lest we forget. Happy remembrance day.

Posted on by intentional4christ

The Journey to the Promise

The first time I travelled from Calgary to Banff, I got lost. I had heard that it was approximately an hour’s drive but because I did not know where I was going I decided to trust my GPS which took me around the mountains in a nine-hour journey from Calgary to Banff! The Israelites in departing from Egypt to their Promised Land, Canaan, were in a similar situation. They were being led by an ancient GPS- the Ancient of Days- who appeared as a cloud by day and fire by night to guide them to the land that was flowing with milk and honey. This journey which should have taken them at most 40 days, took 40 years! How? and Why? Today’s reading gives us a clue:

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.

Exodus 13:17-18 ESV

God (their GPS), did not make a mistake! It was always God’s intention to lead them the roundabout way and for their own good! Although the Israelites left Egypt equipped for battle, they were unprepared for battle and would have balked at the first sight of war, running straight back into captivity. By detouring them, the Israelites got to have and learn from many life experiences; they became more rugged, seasoned, and battle-ready. In the 40-year detour, God stripped the nation of unbelief, rebellion, disobedience and through the process, taught them how to trust and depend on Him.

Friends, the story of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan is as relevant for us today as it was back then. There is a Promised Land we are journeying to- the City of God and God is leading us there through detours, zig-zags, and backtracking in a roundabout way. This is a process of sanctification, to cleanse us of the idols of Egypt- our old way of life which we gave up when we asked Jesus into our lives, and to prepare us for battle against the fiery darts of the evil one. In the journey towards our forever home, we have a lot to learn about ourselves and our Heavenly Father. We have a lot to learn about what it means to be truly free- to be translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God’s marvelous light (Colossians 1:13) and to no longer be slaves to sin (Romans 6).

Many times the journey seems arduous and frustrating and the lessons we learn along the way may be painful and seem unnecessary. However, it all comes full circle. James 1:3 and Romans 5: 3-4 assure us that when it feels like our faith is being tested, we should take solace in this fact that we are building character which works to strengthen our confident hope in the God who saves us.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:3NLT

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. Romans 5:3-4 NLT

Being equipped for battle does not equate to being ready for battle. But guess what, God promises to guide us along the best paths for our lives even if they seem convoluted; and fully girded in His armour, He promises to train us for battle along the way. We can rest in these promises:

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you…” Psalm 32:8 NLT

Praise the LORD, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. Psalm 144:1 NLT

So back to the story of my journey to Banff: About four hours into this trip around the mountain, I stopped being upset and fussing at my GPS for taking me the wrong way. The sun had started to set and I was feeling even more lost now than I was four hours prior. Instead of trying to fight it, I leaned into the journey by trusting that my GPS had brought me this far and would see me through the rest of the way, even through the darkest valleys (no pun intended- I was literally driving through the peaks and valleys of the terrain). When I stopped complaining about my “faulty” GPS and started to trust that the GPS would get me there, it was only then that I noticed how majestic the snowcapped mountains and the lakes that meandered through them were. The forest around me was so serene and the wildlife was just incredible. That journey, at least the second half of it, remains till today the most breathtaking journey I have had in my entire life!

Friends, the journey home to life everlasting is everything but a straight line! There will be highs and lows; ups and downs; there may be u-turns along the route; and sometimes, boy will it feel like you went the wrong way! But rest assured, as long as the Lord is your guide, you are not lost…just being prepared for your eternal home where God Himself shall receive you to glory.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Psalm 73:24 ESV

Yours Truly.

p.s. we will pick up the topic of sanctification in another post