Pearls of Great Value

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” 2 Cor. 13:5 ESV)

“But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].” John‬ ‭1:12-13‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Identification. If you have received Jesus and welcomed Him into your life, you have received a brand new identity: you are now a son, a daughter, of God. New identity! I don’t know if you have taken time to meditate on this, or have learned what exactly it means for you to have joined His family. Maybe you have, maybe not. I’m of the thought, that you can never reach the end of this knowledge, it has such a depth. So, Children of God, let’s do ourselves a favor. Let’s take some time, in fact, take a lot of time and find out : Who am I in Christ? What am I in Christ Jesus? What all is included in being a child of God? In fact, what does my new identity look like? I need to know.  That is one reason we ought to study the Word, just so that we can see what we look like in the Spirit.

Our Strength is in the inside. It’s the strength of the Lord. But do we know this? Strong in spirit is what will sustain a child of God in the tough times. Being weak in this one area, (not knowing our identity), is often why we loose our battles. Let’s admit it, our world in general is going through a huge identity crisis. It’s mind boggling. It’s confusing. And yes, it’s clearly a tactic of the enemy to stir up strife and contention. You know what I believe? Maybe it’s on us, children of God, to lead by example and truth in this area. Maybe if we can get our own identification down, we will be the salt that preserves our culture and teaches on true identity. Let’s become proactive. Let’s become aggressive in representing Christ, so that it’s His glory being shown in the world. We have to step out. We have to. It’s time to overcome the evil and the bad by good. Let us not be destroyed by a lack of knowledge!

Here’s an idea. Let’s take a pen and highlighter and go through scripture searching for what God says on our identity. Every single time you read these words, highlight them: In Christ, in Him, by Christ, by Him/His, by the Lord/the power/the Holy Spirit, through Christ, through Him, and in the Lord. These words are identifying words. They immediately follow with what and who we are in Christ Jesus.

What if we are sometimes identifying with that which we are not? How do we know? Well, first we have to know what we are, who we are, before we can stand against what we are not. How do agents become proficient in their ability to identify a counterfeit money bill from the real one? Not by studying the fake. Nope. It’s by studying the real, until it’s so ingrained in their minds that they instantly recognize when a fake bill comes their way. We have to do the same. Study on the real and true, study on who God says I am, until all fake identification is easily seen and discarded. When we know the truth, the fake and lie instantly stand out.

Here are just a few “identification verses”:

“For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:17 ESVi) : Much more! Much more will we reign in this life through Christ Jesus!

“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 6:11 ESVi): Consider yourself. This means you ought to calculate and conclude that in Christ Jesus, you ARE dead to sin and you ARE alive in a brand new glorious way, alive to God. The Word reminds us of this continually and tries to help us receive this truth so that it may operate with power within us. Listen to this verse: For through the eternal and living Word of God you have been born again. And this “seed” that he planted within you can never be destroyed but will live and grow inside of you forever. For: Human beings are frail and temporary, like grass, and the glory of man fleeting like blossoms of the field. The grass dries and withers and the flowers fall off, but the Word of the Lord endures forever! And this is the Word that was announced to you!” 1 Peter‬ ‭1:23-25‬ ‭TPT‬‬. This Word IS Jesus. He’s alive in every believer and He’s still the same Jesus of the Bible! He can’t and won’t fade, neither will He wither and die. He’s equipped every single one who believes, with all of the power of the kingdom.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Rom. 8:1–2 ESVi): For anyone who is IN Christ Jesus there is no more condemnation. No one can condemn you, shame you, call you unworthy or guilty. Why? Because you have been set free by Jesus, he broke the chains that bound you.

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,” 1 Cor. 1:30 ESVi): The TPT version says it like this: “For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now he is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption.” Joined to Jesus! If you think about this, isn’t it incredible? Doesn’t it stir something deep inside of you? A longing? Drawing life from God through Jesus. Can you imagine that this life would be anything but powerful? Plus, Jesus inside is imparting to us His wisdom, His holiness, His virtue. Our complete redemption is in Him. He doesn’t do anything half way.

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Cor. 6:11 ESV: In the name of Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. We ought to think about the power in the name of Jesus and yes,for those who have faith in that name, nothing is impossible. This verse says that we WERE washed. We WERE sanctified and justified. It’s a done deal. When you think of who you are, you can’t be thinking of the old you anymore. Stop thinking about your past! You’re only doing yourself a disservice and giving energy to the old mindset. Let’s make it a habit to enforce our minds to think on what we are now IN Christ Jesus. Set your mind on things above! Remember this: We act according to what we think about ourselves and what we think of ourselves. So, who are you, really? Learn your new identity. Make it your mindset.

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Cor. 2:14 ESV: He leads us in triumph! And all around us is heavens aroma. TPT version of this verse explains it so good: God always makes his grace visible in Christ, who includes us as partners of his endless triumph. Through our yielded lives he spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere we go.” See, Christ includes those that believe, includes them in His life, in His victory, we are His partners. ‭‭

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Cor. 5:17 ESV: This verse! Though for the longest time i didn’t understand it(and still am processing it), I can say it’s one of my favorites. Think about it. Anyone who is IN CHRIST, is a brand new, never seen before creation! The old HAS passed away. Notice the past tense? It’s not the outside appearance of man that gets changed. Neither is it my mind or my heart. Rather, in the blink of an eye, in the whispered prayer of repentance, our spirit man is brand new. By this new birth we live brand new lives. Kathryn Kuhlman said it like this: “God does not patch up the old life, or make certain repairs on the old life; He gives a new life through the new birth.” By union with Christ, we now have the fullness of God in us. But very often the unrenewed mind doesn’t know this and still lives according to the old. Plus, sometimes there is layer upon layer upon layer of the old way of living and of self that hinders the new from coming through. Still, if anyone is In Christ, he is a new creation! We have to work to transform our minds to this truth.

“for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” Gal. 3:26 ESVi : Sons of God! This is incredible if you think about it. Where once I was an enemy, now because of Jesus, a son, a daughter! It bears repeating: We are sons of God. His nature is in us. And we receive inheritance with Jesus as well. Have you ever thought about the inheritance of Jesus? What it entails? It’s worth studying! It’s amazing that we have been adopted into God’s family. Adopted children receive the same as natural born children, there is no difference in the eyes of the parents. It’s even more so with God. ““For the Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to us as he whispers into our innermost being, “You are God’s beloved child!” And since we are his true children, we qualify to share all his treasures, for indeed, we are heirs of God himself. And since we are joined to Christ, we also inherit all that he is and all that he has. We will experience being co-glorified with him provided that we accept his sufferings as our own.” Romans‬ ‭8:16-17‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,” Eph. 1:3 ESVi : The TPT version of this verse: “Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts! And he chose us to be his very own, joining us to himself even before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence.” 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10 ESVi): I love that when we are born again we are created anew, and created in Christ Jesus. We are a re-created people, with a purpose and a destiny, one which we can walk out because of Jesus. We are His work of art!

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Eph. 2:13 ESVi: Not only close and near, but united and joined with Christ. The Bible continually presses home this point that we are now one with Christ, just as a bride and groom become one. There is a holy union and we have to see ourselves in union, and in partnership. If we don’t receive this as truth in our hearts and have it continually as our vision, we will easily be overcome by the enemy. This union has to become our reality.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph. 4:32 ESVi: This verse reminds me that I am always able to forgive, I am always capable of being kind and tenderhearted. Even on the hardest day, even in the darkness, even when slandered and misrepresented, I can do this. Why? Because it is Christ who lives through me. Because He once forgave me. Because His love has captured my heart and turned the hardened stone into one of tender goodness. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7 ESVi : Who doesn’t need peace? And this peace from the Hebrew, means every kind of blessing and good. It’s not the kind of peace that the world gives which comes only when man has freedom from disturbances or to be in a place or state wherein there is no war. We live in a fallen world and as such will constantly be at war with the enemy and will continually face disturbances. Gods peace comes from deep within and is born out of knowing that despite the circumstances it is still well with my soul. Despite the circumstances I am held save in Jesus and no matter what, for those that love God all things must work out for my good and to the glory of God. Now that is a peace that passes all understanding! I love this prayer of Paul: “Now, may the Lord himself, the Lord of peace, pour into you his peace in every circumstance and in every possible way. The Lord’s tangible presence be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭TPT‬‬

We have royal blood on the inside of us. We are chosen. God IS with us,(remember the name Emmanuel?) and He said we don’t have to fear, for He will strengthen and uphold us. So, fear not! God doesn’t abandon His children. In every trial, whatever you are facing, God IS WITH YOU! “So, what does all this mean? If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever stand against us? For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all, he certainly won’t withhold from us anything else he has to give.” Romans‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭TPT‬. God wants us to know our identity. He will not and does not withhold this knowledge from us. It’s ours to receive...if we want to. This might the hardest battle we face...is the fight to overcome our doubts and fear, am I a child of God, am I loved, do I have victory? Who am I?

Our normal? Is hidden in Jesus Christ. Our purpose? Is hidden in Jesus Christ. Not hidden from you but hidden FOR you. Like a precious treasure that is worth its weight in gold, we’ll never be sorry for the striving we had to do to get it. We have to search the Word for the truth and God promises that all who seek, will find. All who knock upon the door of Jesus, He will open the truth to them. Jesus himself promises: “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Luke 11:9–10 ESVi)

“Now Christ lives his life in you! And even though your body may be dead because of the effects of sin, his life-giving Spirit imparts life to you because you are fully accepted by God.” Romans‬ ‭8:10‬ ‭TPT‬‬