Actions and Actuality

I remember a time long, long ago, when I was young and immature.  I wasn't always the most diligent in keeping schedules and would, from time to time, show up late for class.  I remember hearing these words "You are late!".

True words of course--I was late after all.  But I was thinking about this a bit this morning and realized that we sometimes struggle in knowing who we are in Jesus because of what is subtly embedded in phrases like this.  On the surface you might think I am talking about the negative effects on my personal self-esteem on hearing these type of comments again and again.  You might think I am intimating that maybe I needed someone to try and understand the underlying reasons why I was late and that all I needed was some real encouragement.

Well, if you thought that you would be wrong!

Someone saying to me 'You are late' is really nothing more than a description of my actions, and isn't a description of who I am!

We get these two things mixed up all the time and it is devastating to our understanding of who we are in Jesus.  It's true that showing up late for class matters--it is important.  And it is true that it might be an indicator of some other things in me that give rise to this problem--but being late is not me! 

There is a difference between actions and actuality--one being what I do, and the other being who I actually am.

As Christians we are always, and I mean always getting these two things mixed up.  We are convinced that our actions are synonymous with our identity.  In fact, we think that our actions are our identity in how we view ourselves, and how we think God views us as well.

This creates such a prison of self-defeat, and it neuters the power of the Gospel in us because it brings all the focus of our identity onto us.  What we need to do is to see our identity from the perspective of God himself.

So what does God see as our identity as His sons and daughters?

Ephesians 5:8 says this:  "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of Light."

God says that when we are saved through Jesus, we have been given a brand new identity.  God says that before Jesus our identity was darkness.  Now, in Jesus, our identity is light because Jesus is the light. 

God is concerned about the statement you are-----. 

Notice that He does not say to us 'because you still sin you are what you do--so shape up or else'.  This would be the worst possible relationship one could imagine.  It would be entirely performance driven, and every time we make a mistake, unintentionally or even intentionally, my identity in Jesus would be in jeopardy.  At this moment think about what unconditional love really means.  It means that when you find yourself saved in and through Jesus Christ, you are now unconditionally loved and that your identity is no longer found in you primarily, or your actions--you are a child of light.  You don't deserve this kind of love from God.  You don't deserve this kind of identity of freedom and hope.  You don't deserve this kind of relationship----because you know what you do. . . .

But that is just the kind of God we serve--the kind that changes the core of who we are by stating to us that His view of us is exactly what He sees in Jesus--but then He doesn't stop there!

You see in the second part of that passage God goes on to say 'now live as children of light'.  Do the things that are appropriate for this kind of person.  Live like Jesus because you are that person whose identity is now fresh and new in Him.  Stop thinking the opposite:  that because I sin that is somehow proof that my identity is not what God says of me.  He is patient to teach us how to live out this new identity in Him.  This is just another gift that comes from the Father to us, His children, because when you live according to who you really are in Jesus--the Holy Spirit affirms that in us and blesses us.  He pours out peace and love and encouragement. 

So instead of listening to the voice of the enemy who condemns you when you sin, listen instead to what God says about you--you are not what you do--you are who I have made you!

There is a huge difference between actions and actuality. Why don't you take a chance and ask the Lord Himself to help you really believe that your identity is who He says you are in Him?  I know it feels like you are somehow ignoring your tendency to sin and that feels like you are not taking responsibility for that.  But taking responsibility for it is not meant to create a prison of self-abuse!

Let Jesus set you free again today.  Ask Him to reveal to you who you actually are, and then ask Him to help your actions follow out of the identity He has so graciously given to you!

BT