Subject: A look at the Believer's Identity.
Subject: Two questions that need to be asked when studying your new identity in Christ. In order to understand our identity, I want to tell you about my recent promotion. I recently just received a promotion at my pest control job. I am still working the same career. I am still in pest control. But my new position has imposed two significant challenges. Firstly, I have had to completely shift my mindset. I have needed to completely shift my overarching perspective of pest control. While it is still the same business, I cannot view the job anymore as a tech. I have to change my thinking to that of a manager. BIG SHIFT! Secondly, I have been challenged with new insight to the inner workings of the business. It is like the curtain has been rolled back, and I have been allowed to see what goes on behind the scenes. This insight, or revelation, would not have come without my new position. This promotion has granted me to see things that I would not have otherwise seen. This little story about my new position is helpful for two reasons: 1) it demonstrates how my new position requires a change of mind, thinking, and overarching perspective shift. And 2) it illustrates how my understanding of the "inner workings" has been enlightened. You see, too often, we have made teachings about our new position in Christ – our identity – nothing more than positive, biblical confessions or declarations that point to who we are. (And I understand this because, after all, our identity is OUR IDENTITY, Right!?) it seems, though, that a Biblical teaching on identity should offer the same insight as my analogy. Our new position in Christ requires the same two challenges. It would be better, more theologically appropriate, if paused for long enough to ask the question, "what does this gift of identity say, first, about the Giver of the gift? And what responsibility, or demand, does our identity place on us?” In the same way I experienced those two changes, a Biblical understanding of our identity as anointed requires the same. When we seek to ascertain who we are in Christ and everything pertaining to our new spiritual position, we must ask “what does our identity say about God, and what does this new position require of me?” This will be the focus of our study, today. In the Bible, the Believer’s new identity is presented to reveal much more than something about us. It is divinely inspired to communicate more than just personal professions of WHO WE ARE. It highlights a deeper truth. The bible presents our new identity in such a way as to demonstrate something specific about God – the Giver of identity. Also, each identity statement reveals a specific expectation for God’s people. This is what Douglas Buckwalter says: “These names are rich in theological detail. The giving of personal names in biblical times often signified a religious conviction about their recipients or something that would be done through these people. The giving of Christian names, likewise, expresses something about the religious status and character of the person and group named and something about what God has done, is doing, and will do in and through them. These names, in effect, provide us with a first-century compendium of Christian belief.” It should become more and more evident that the Bible, first and foremost, points us to God. It reveals His actions, His desires, and His covenant faithfulness to His people. The same thing is revealed through the Believer’s identity. We must first ask, “what does this say about God?” Secondly, we must ask the question, “What does this require of us?” These biblical designations also highlight Heaven’s expectation for God’s people. Each name, statement and designation shows something different. Each one is unique. There are around 175 different identity statements in the New Testament alone (Douglas Buckwalter). Each one of these communicates a specific revelation about God and about what is expected of God’s people. For example, the Bible declares believers are children of God. This clearly describes God as Father. He is a generous, protective, and nurturing Father. That is what it reveals of God. Being designated Children of God, we can understand a particular expectation placed upon us by this inspired identity statement. It describes a heavenly expectation that we will submit ourselves daily to our Father. It communicates relationship, submission, and the expectation that we allow ourselves to be trained to maturity. What expectation does this communicate of us, is truly the second question that must be asked when looking at each of the Bible's identity statements. Again, This statement puts a bow on it. "They [Biblical identity statements] describe, in part, the Old Testament Jewish roots of Christianity, the role of the Godhead within Christianity, the union of believers with God and Christ, the nature of Christian life and conduct, and the importance of the gospel" (Bakers Evangelical dictionary). In short, our new identity in Christ communicates much more than just positive vibes about who we are. It is not just about us. The Biblical presentation of our of new identity in Christ demands more than just a goose-bump. It was intended that Believer's ask, "what does this identity-gift say about God, His interactions with mankind, and His will?" Truly, it offers specific revelations as to who God is, His actions to us, and what is expected of His people. A look at our "new DNA" demands a closer look at God, and it grants us the sweet joy of relationship with God. Finally, Each of these, as mentioned earlier, speak first of the heart of God for His people. They are descriptions of the wondrous workings of God. And our new identity in Christ is meant to instruct us. Being giving "new DNA" through the work of Jesus Christ, we can understand that our identity places divine demands upon us. Who we have been made to be should guide and inform our everyday living.
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Subject: A look at our new identity as Beloved.
Subject: We will looker closer at this Identity statement and discover what it says about God, and what it requires of us.
This is going to be exciting! Today, we will be discussing our identity as the Beloved of God. I am excited about this because an appropriate teaching on our identity as Beloved requires a discussion on what I believe is one of the Bible's deepest topics. A topic that gives life, changes lives, and sustains the soul through life's most difficult times.
But before we dive in, I want to disclose the purpose of today's Message. I believe that God has a word for us. I believe God has given me a Word that is intended to be more than positive affirmations and personal declarations. I believe that God desires to lead us into deeper experiences. I pray that this is more than just another identity lesson. Something more than just information that creates positive feelings. This teaching, I believe, can truly baptize the heart into the rich joy of God's goodness. That being said, let me begin with a recap on what we have already learned about a Biblical understanding of our identity in Christ. In the Bible, the Believer's new identity is presented to reveal much more than something about us. It is divinely inspired to communicate more than just personal professions of WHO WE ARE. It highlights a deeper truth. The Bible presents our new identity in such a way as to demonstrate something specific about God – the Giver of identity. Also, each identity statement reveals a specific expectation for God's people. This is what Douglas Buckwalter says: "These names are rich in theological detail. The giving of personal names in biblical times often signified a religious conviction about their recipients or something that would be done through these people. The giving of Christian names, likewise, expresses something about the religious status and character of the person and group named and something about what God has done, is doing, and will do in and through them. These names, in effect, provide us with a first-century compendium of Christian belief." It should become more and more evident to us that the Bible, first and foremost, points us to God. It reveals His actions, His desires, and His covenant faithfulness to His people. The same thing is revealed through the Believer's identity. We must first ask, "what does this say about God?" Secondly, we must ask the question, "What does this require of us?" These biblical designations also highlight Heaven's expectation for God's people. Each name, statement, and designation shows something different. Each one is unique. There are around 175 different identity statements in the New Testament alone (Douglas Buckwalter). Each one of these communicates a specific revelation about God and about what is expected of God's people. Of Beloved, we must ask the same thing. What expectation does this communicate of us? This being said, let us address the answer to our first question...
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Now that you know you are Beloved of God. Now that you have had a brief glimpse into the depths of God's love. Now let us look at heaven's expectation of us! This particular designation infers that we "be loved." Being the Beloved of the Lord, we are to celebrate and rest in that love. Having drunk deep of the waters of God's love, we now get to treasure it. We are to allow that constant stream to regularly flow over us.
This is one of my favorite passages. Eph. 3:17-19 says, "so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith— that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Wow! Speaking to a people that already have the Spirit of Christ dwelling richly in their hearts, this Sacred Text tells us to root ourselves in love. We are to rest upon the foundation of God's love. This is a place where we can send out our roots into the nutrient-rich soil of God's boundless loving-kindness. I submit that our first response to the love of God is that of rest and celebration. Being Beloved, we are to treasure, cherish, and rest in that precious reality. |
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When God delivered His people from their bondage in Egypt, it revealed God's love. He had not forgotten about His people. It was nothing less than a demonstration of God's love and faithfulness. But it did not stop there. Not long after delivering the Hebrews from slavery, God commanded the most peculiar thing. In Leviticus 23, God gave a directive. God spoke and commanded His people. With great authority, God instructed His people to regularly rest and celebrate. God instituted seven festivals and celebrations that were to be regularly engaged. They were intended to train His people to rest in, and celebrate, what God had done, is doing, and will do. Israel was His Beloved! He desired His people to rest in His love and celebrate His covenant faithfulness. From God's perspective, these festivals were to train His people to trust him and to remember His goodness. It was to provoke their hearts to worship. But from the Israelites' perspective, it became "just another command." It was just another thing. It was something they had to do. In this Passage, we can conclude that rest and celebration is God's design.
Often, I wonder if we do the same. I wonder if the ocean-silencing love of God has become a platitude. I wonder if it has become just another teaching. Just another sermon. Just another passing phrase. I wonder if we, also, forget to rest in (and celebrate) our God. Like Israel, we are God's Beloved! He loves us intensely!
Often, I wonder if we do the same. I wonder if the ocean-silencing love of God has become a platitude. I wonder if it has become just another teaching. Just another sermon. Just another passing phrase. I wonder if we, also, forget to rest in (and celebrate) our God. Like Israel, we are God's Beloved! He loves us intensely!
The Ephesians 3 passage is one of my favorite passages. It is so profound, and it is so simple. It also shows us that establishing ourselves in God's love leads us deeper. As we root and establish our hearts and minds in the love of God, we position ourselves "to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." This is something that we can train ourselves to do. With the Help of the Spirit, we can train ourselves to rest in and celebrate God's love. As we go. As we work our 9 to 5's. As we struggle to pay our bills. As we work through broken relationships. As we sludge through the waters of loneliness. As we stare at the towering wall of discouragement. We can train ourselves to rest and celebrate. On the fly, wherever we are, we can make intentional and conscious efforts to pray, meditate, worship, fast, and thank God! We can utilize the spiritual disciplines to train ourselves to rest in God's love. We are, after all, His beloved. We are vessels of His affection. There is ALWAYS something for which to be thankful!
Lastly, as Beloved children, we are to imitate the Love of God. Ephesians 5:1-2 says this, "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." As we train our hearts to meditate upon this great love, we allow the loving example of our Heavenly Father to seep in into the very fabric of our being. As we train to establish ourselves in Christ's love, we learn to walk after the pattern of our God. As God's beloved children, we are too look up to the example of our father. Being Beloved of God implies that we will live lives of outrageous love, as we have seen from our Father. As we have been loved, so shall we love others.
1 John 4: 7-11, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
"To love someone means to see him as God intended him" (Fyodor Dostoevsky).
"I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master" (John Newton).
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (Jesus of Nazareth).
"I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master" (John Newton).
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (Jesus of Nazareth).
Subject: Your Identity as anointed
Subject: A deeper look at what it means to be anointed
Subject: A deeper look at what it means to be anointed
“But you have been anointed by the Holy One... But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him” (1 John 2:20, 27).
In order to understand our identity as anointed, I want to tell you about my recent promotion. I recently just received a promotion at my pest control job. I am still working the same career. I am still in pest control. But my new position has imposed two significant challenges. Firstly, I have had to completely shift my mindset. I have needed to completely shift my overarching perspective of pest control. While it is still the same business, I cannot view the job anymore as a tech. I have to change my thinking to that of a manager. BIG SHIFT!
Secondly, I have been challenged with new insight to the inner workings of the business. It is like the curtain has been rolled back, and I have been allowed to see what goes on behind the scenes. This insight, or revelation, would not have come without my new position. This promotion has granted me to see things that I would not have otherwise seen. This little story about my new position is helpful for two reasons: 1) it demonstrates how my new position requires a change of mind, thinking, and overarching perspective shift. And 2) it illustrates how my understanding of the "inner workings" has been enlightened. You see, too often, we have made teachings about our new position in Christ – our identity – nothing more than positive, biblical confessions or declarations that point to who we are. (And I understand this because, after all, our identity is OUR IDENTITY, Right!?) it seems, though, that a Biblical teaching on identity should offer the same insight as my analogy. Our new position in Christ requires the same two challenges. It would be better, more theologically appropriate, if paused for long enough to ask the question, "what does this gift of identity say, first, about the Giver of the gift? And what responsibility, or demand, does our identity place on us?” In the same way I experienced those two changes, a Biblical understanding of our identity as anointed requires the same. When we seek to ascertain who we are in Christ and everything pertaining to our new spiritual position, we must ask “what does our identity say about God, and what does this new position require of me?” Answering this question will be the focus of our study, today. (reference work from Douglas Buckwalter about the Bible’s identity statements being a compendium of early Christian belief. The Bible’s presentation of Christian identity is clearly given to illustrate a revelation about God, His actions toward mankind, and His expectations for how believers are to live.) Before we can answer our questions, we really need to start with “What is anointing? And what was the historical and cultural understanding of anointing with oil?” Anointing (χρῖσμα [chrisma] and χρίω [chriō]) simply means to smear, daub, or rub. In the ancient middle east, in both pagan and Hebraic practice, anointing was used as a toiletry. “The fierce protracted heat and biting lime dust of Palestine made the oil very soothing to the skin, and it was applied freely to exposed parts of the body, especially to the face” (George B. Eager). In line with this, it was used as a perfuming agent to cover bad odors. The heat and manual labor encouraged the use of anointing as perfume, especially for celebrations and social events (Jacob W. Kapp). The ordinary usage, in short, was that of covering foul odors and perfuming. Also, people would abstain from anointing with these fragrant oils as a form of the morning. All these practices can be seen in the Bible: Deut. 28:40; Ruth 3:3; 2 Sam. 12:20 and 14:2; 2 Chron. 28:15; Ezekiel 16:9; Micah 6:15; Daniel 10: 3. It is very clear from Exodus 30:23-25 that the anointing oil was intentionally made to be fragrant and pleasing to the senses. As pertains to its religious usage, it was especially used to consecrate “an individual or object... for divine use” (Louis Goldberg). This is evident throughout the Bible. It can be specially noted of the consecration of the tabernacle, and the items therein (Exodus 40:9-11). It was, also, used to consecrate people for divine use. This can be witnessed of Aron and his sons in Exodus 40:12-15. Anointing with oil was used as a symbol of God’s choice to consecrate (or “set apart” for a particular purpose). It is a wonderful and exciting revelation of a God who chooses to use His people for His sacred work. |
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Similarly to the concept of consecration, Anointing with oil was also used as a symbol of inauguration. Anointing in the Old Testament was used to demonstrate God’s choice to elect people to a special office. This sacred practice can be seen in electing kings (1 Samuel 9:16 and 10:1, 1 Kings 1:34, 1 Kings 1:39), prophets (1 Kings 19:16, 1 Chron. 16:22, Psalms 105:15), and priests (Exodus 40:15, Numbers 3:3, Exodus 29:29, Leviticus 16:32, Leviticus 4:3). The anointing of the priests - the high priest especially - was the most common religious practice among the Jews (William Smith). It was a very sacred symbol. It conveyed the revelation of God’s choice for electing a people or individual to an office. This was not just a profound revelation of God choosing to use His people for His soteriological agenda, but it was also understood as endowing people with power. George B. Eager states, “Among the Hebrews, it was believed not only that it effected a transference to the anointed one of something of the holiness and virtue of the deity in whose name and by whose representative the rite was performed, but also that it imparted a special endowment of the spirit of Yahweh.” This understanding can be seen in 1 Samuel 16:13 and Isaiah 61:1.
When John was inspired to write this Passage in 1 John 2, He knew the people receiving this revelation would have had these things in mind. Anointing was familiar to them. Very familiar. They would have had the above concepts and practices ingrained upon their hearts and minds, because the act of anointing was very culturally relevant to this audience. And, in relation to the date of writing, it is difficult to discern. While most believe it was written toward the end of the 1st century, “It is called ‘general,’ because it was not written and sent to any particular church, or person, and not because it was for the general use of the churches, for so are all the particular epistles but because it was written to the Christians in general, or to the believing Jews in general wherever they were” (John Gill).
The reader’s ancestral and cultural understanding of anointing with oil, and their understanding of the broad (non-specific) target audience, would have had great impact on their minds and hearts. Firstly, before answering our main question, it is important to note that John would not have known all of those which would have received this Epistle. Whoah! He did not know all of those that would read this inspired Text. It makes one wonder how he could have so confidently declared, “you have been anointed!” He did not know them! But he did know the reality was the Believers’ new identity was established upon their conversion. Upon placing faith in Jesus Christ, the Christian is made new (ref. Eph. 1:13-14 and 2 Cor. 5:17). They are given an entirely new identity in Christ. No exceptions. Every single believer is a recipient of a new anointed identity.
How incredible is it to know that you have been anointed. God has covered you with His Spirit. He has poured over you the oil of empowering so that you may walk as Jesus walked, live as Jesus lived, die as Jesus died, give as Jesus gave. “You have been anointed.” You are just as anointed as any other believer in the Body of Christ. No one is more or less anointed than anyone else. We are equals in the Kingdom of God. We are anointed for His glory!
When John was inspired to write this Passage in 1 John 2, He knew the people receiving this revelation would have had these things in mind. Anointing was familiar to them. Very familiar. They would have had the above concepts and practices ingrained upon their hearts and minds, because the act of anointing was very culturally relevant to this audience. And, in relation to the date of writing, it is difficult to discern. While most believe it was written toward the end of the 1st century, “It is called ‘general,’ because it was not written and sent to any particular church, or person, and not because it was for the general use of the churches, for so are all the particular epistles but because it was written to the Christians in general, or to the believing Jews in general wherever they were” (John Gill).
The reader’s ancestral and cultural understanding of anointing with oil, and their understanding of the broad (non-specific) target audience, would have had great impact on their minds and hearts. Firstly, before answering our main question, it is important to note that John would not have known all of those which would have received this Epistle. Whoah! He did not know all of those that would read this inspired Text. It makes one wonder how he could have so confidently declared, “you have been anointed!” He did not know them! But he did know the reality was the Believers’ new identity was established upon their conversion. Upon placing faith in Jesus Christ, the Christian is made new (ref. Eph. 1:13-14 and 2 Cor. 5:17). They are given an entirely new identity in Christ. No exceptions. Every single believer is a recipient of a new anointed identity.
How incredible is it to know that you have been anointed. God has covered you with His Spirit. He has poured over you the oil of empowering so that you may walk as Jesus walked, live as Jesus lived, die as Jesus died, give as Jesus gave. “You have been anointed.” You are just as anointed as any other believer in the Body of Christ. No one is more or less anointed than anyone else. We are equals in the Kingdom of God. We are anointed for His glory!
{The “anointing that you have received,” is written in the Aorist Indicative Active. This demonstrates a single, effective, one-time action. It “states an action that occurs without regard to its duration. It is analogous to a snapshot which captures action at a specific point in time. In the indicative mood, aorist can indicate punctiliar action (happens at a specific point in time) in past” (Precept Austin). This only further intensifies the dramatic work of God, upon salvation, to anoint His people with the Holy Spirit. Reference Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18, and Acts 10:38 }
With the cultural, historical, and grammatical information given above, we can answer our question. “what does this say about God, and what does this require of us?”
With the cultural, historical, and grammatical information given above, we can answer our question. “what does this say about God, and what does this require of us?”
What does this identity statement say about God?
First, it should be obvious that it reveals a God that covers His people. He is present. He is near. He covers us. God gives the Holy Spirit to his people. Being identified as anointed reveals an Anointer who cares.
The readers of John’s letter would have, no doubt, understood this in terms of the common use for anointing. They would have connected the fact of anointing was used to cover foul odors. They more than likely would have seen this to reveal a God who beautifies. Moreover, this conjures to mind the idea that the Holy Spirit covers the foul stench of our sin. This is incredible! How amazing is it to know that we are covered, not with a temporary anointing that can be washed off with water. Rather, we are covered with God Himself. God permanently covers those who place their faith in Him. What a good God.
Also, in line with its historical and cultural context, it reveals something about the choice of God. It shows how the Almighty chose to elect us to a particular office. All believers. All those anointed by the Holy Spirit. It highlights the choice of God for the election. It was God’s Choice. It was His desire. It is the plan to elect you to participate with Him in His redemptive plan. Heaven’s prerogative was to partner with the Redeemed to extend the invitation for salvation, hope, life, and love to the world. This reveals a God who calls and qualifies all Believers to a sacred calling. He is not waiting for you to qualify yourself. He is not waiting for you to know your Bible better. He is not waiting for you to get your master’s degree. He is not waiting for you to feel qualified. He chose you! He elected you to be a part of His royal priesthood. The moment you gave your life to the Lord, He anointed you. He chose to ordain you to His great and glorious purposes.
The readers of John’s letter would have, no doubt, understood this in terms of the common use for anointing. They would have connected the fact of anointing was used to cover foul odors. They more than likely would have seen this to reveal a God who beautifies. Moreover, this conjures to mind the idea that the Holy Spirit covers the foul stench of our sin. This is incredible! How amazing is it to know that we are covered, not with a temporary anointing that can be washed off with water. Rather, we are covered with God Himself. God permanently covers those who place their faith in Him. What a good God.
Also, in line with its historical and cultural context, it reveals something about the choice of God. It shows how the Almighty chose to elect us to a particular office. All believers. All those anointed by the Holy Spirit. It highlights the choice of God for the election. It was God’s Choice. It was His desire. It is the plan to elect you to participate with Him in His redemptive plan. Heaven’s prerogative was to partner with the Redeemed to extend the invitation for salvation, hope, life, and love to the world. This reveals a God who calls and qualifies all Believers to a sacred calling. He is not waiting for you to qualify yourself. He is not waiting for you to know your Bible better. He is not waiting for you to get your master’s degree. He is not waiting for you to feel qualified. He chose you! He elected you to be a part of His royal priesthood. The moment you gave your life to the Lord, He anointed you. He chose to ordain you to His great and glorious purposes.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Going deeper, it shows a God who consecrated you. Is demonstrates a God who set you apart for divine use. He made you holy unto Himself. Like when God chose to consecrate the tabernacle with anointing oil, He also consecrated you for sacred use. You have been set apart for service to God. He chose you!
It also presents a God who chose to empower you. It shows that God not only qualifies you to serve Him, it promulgates how God also equips you. In the same way as Jesus was “anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power,” so are you (Acts 10:38). Being that our identity is that of anointed, and being in Christ (in the Anointed One), God chose to place “the The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1-4). And again, this choice is seen in Jesus’s statement to the disciples. He declared, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He chose to call, elect, and empower you.
It also presents a God who chose to empower you. It shows that God not only qualifies you to serve Him, it promulgates how God also equips you. In the same way as Jesus was “anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power,” so are you (Acts 10:38). Being that our identity is that of anointed, and being in Christ (in the Anointed One), God chose to place “the The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1-4). And again, this choice is seen in Jesus’s statement to the disciples. He declared, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He chose to call, elect, and empower you.
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” ( 2 Tim. 1:7).
Lastly, this reveals another facet of our God. He chose you to take ownership of a particular calling and purpose. He chose to elect you to the office of priestly ambassador, and He chose to give you ownership over it. He places the responsibility upon us to steward our calling. The Old Testament and the New Testament are full of examples of men and women who succeeded and/or failed to steward what God had given them. This includes king Saul, Deborah, king David, Samson, king Ahaz, Eli, Eli’s sons, Peter, Paul, and many others. God chose to elect many priests, kings, judges, and prophets who failed to steward the office to which they were called. Many others succeeded. This demonstrates, further, how our identity as anointed reveals the fact of God’s choice to give us ownership of our calling and purpose. God gave us the freedom and responsibility to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling” (Eph. 4:1-7).
This leads us perfectly into our next question...
This leads us perfectly into our next question...
What does this require of me?
First, it requires the refreshing revelation of the fact that God chose you! Understanding our new identity as anointed from a proper cultural framework, we can identify a heavenly expectation. Being anointed of the Holy Spirit, this tells us that God’s expects us “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” God requires us to “live up to what we have already attained” (Phil. 3:16). Being anointed. Being elected to a special office. Being given a high calling and sacred purpose. Being anointed of God shows us that we are called to serve God and minister God’s love to others. God’s exceptionless expectation for us is that of priestly ambassadors.
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’” (Matt. 28:18-20).
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore,we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us...” (2 Cor. 5:17-20)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore,we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us...” (2 Cor. 5:17-20)
Second, it requires you to take ownership of that to which God has called you. No matter where life has brought you. Wherever you are. mountain top or valley. Stream or desert. You have been anointed. You have been entrusted by God. Convenient or not, God has elected you and appointed you to an important office. You are called to serve God by sharing Jesus with the world around you. You have been set apart for divine use. No exceptions. Your new identity demonstrates the potent reality of responsibility. God asks that you take ownership of that to which you have been called!
You are anointed wherever you are. You carry the Presence of God with you. Where you are in life is where you have been sent as a priestly ambassador. To your family. To your co-workers. To your boss. To your wife. To your children. To your barista. To your waiter. To your social media following. To your kids. You are to minister the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus Christ everywhere we are.
It doesn’t have to be scary. It doesn’t have to be complicated. This is simply doing good. Sharing your faith. Explaining your hope in the face of trial. Going “out of your way” to pray from someone. Dying to self. Loving as Jesus loved. Living as Jesus lived. Giving as Jesus gave.
You are anointed wherever you are. You carry the Presence of God with you. Where you are in life is where you have been sent as a priestly ambassador. To your family. To your co-workers. To your boss. To your wife. To your children. To your barista. To your waiter. To your social media following. To your kids. You are to minister the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus Christ everywhere we are.
It doesn’t have to be scary. It doesn’t have to be complicated. This is simply doing good. Sharing your faith. Explaining your hope in the face of trial. Going “out of your way” to pray from someone. Dying to self. Loving as Jesus loved. Living as Jesus lived. Giving as Jesus gave.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:9-10).
Subject: A closer look at our identity.
Subject: What being Righteous reveals about God, and what it requires of us?
Subject: What being Righteous reveals about God, and what it requires of us?
One of the most incredible aspects of our new God-given identity is that of being righteous. This is a true treasure. Being made righteous before God is a gem in the heart of the Believer. But what exactly does this mean?
We have heard about this aspect of our new identity. We have heard it declared. We have heard it confessed. We have heard it offered as a positive affirmation meant to reinforce who we are! The way our righteous identity is most regularly taught is not wrong. It is, however, more than a vocal profession. It simply leaves us with a desire for something with a more profound affect in our lives. It is a revelation of something deeper. As it is with most Biblical identity statements, a closer look at our identity of righteous will reveal something about God. It will, also, reveal something about what is expected of those made righteous.
We have heard about this aspect of our new identity. We have heard it declared. We have heard it confessed. We have heard it offered as a positive affirmation meant to reinforce who we are! The way our righteous identity is most regularly taught is not wrong. It is, however, more than a vocal profession. It simply leaves us with a desire for something with a more profound affect in our lives. It is a revelation of something deeper. As it is with most Biblical identity statements, a closer look at our identity of righteous will reveal something about God. It will, also, reveal something about what is expected of those made righteous.
What does it mean to be righteous?
In other words, righteousness is tied to the act of justification. This action occurs when a good judge – a judge who desires fair justice – makes a declaration of one's innocence. The declaration of one's innocence is the act of Justification. Upon receiving a just declaration of innocence, the individual on trial is reckoned righteous (right/just) in the eyes of the court of law. The declaration of an innocent verdict leaves the accused in right-standing with the judge and governing body. s begun in them by declaring them righteous" (Peter Toon).
This is why understanding ourselves as righteous is one of the most treasured, life-giving realities. This is a gift to the undeserving that is centered in the heart of God's mercy, grace, and love. Our fallen and sinful nature is inherently guilty before a good, fair, and just God. And so while we naturally deserve to receive a damning verdict, God graciously frees us from shame and guilt if we were to place our faith in Jesus Christ. What an incredible God – not requiring of us the impossible task of trying to earn our own salvation and right-standing. Instead, He gifts righteousness and freedom to mankind because of the substitutionary death of Messiah. God knew that "what was impossible with man is possible with God" so He made our identity as righteous attainable through believing in Jesus.
Gal. 2:16 states, "yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified" (ESV).
As mentioned in our introduction and as you can tell from this teaching, any discussion or study on the Believer's identity requires us, first, to ask the question, "what does this say about God?" And this is especially true of our identity as righteous.
This is why understanding ourselves as righteous is one of the most treasured, life-giving realities. This is a gift to the undeserving that is centered in the heart of God's mercy, grace, and love. Our fallen and sinful nature is inherently guilty before a good, fair, and just God. And so while we naturally deserve to receive a damning verdict, God graciously frees us from shame and guilt if we were to place our faith in Jesus Christ. What an incredible God – not requiring of us the impossible task of trying to earn our own salvation and right-standing. Instead, He gifts righteousness and freedom to mankind because of the substitutionary death of Messiah. God knew that "what was impossible with man is possible with God" so He made our identity as righteous attainable through believing in Jesus.
Gal. 2:16 states, "yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified" (ESV).
As mentioned in our introduction and as you can tell from this teaching, any discussion or study on the Believer's identity requires us, first, to ask the question, "what does this say about God?" And this is especially true of our identity as righteous.
What does it tell us about God?
It should be evident from the legal description above, God is a good and justice-loving Judge. This is both a refreshing and terrifying reality. God is the ultimate Judge over all of creation. As stated in Philippians, there will be a day when "every knee will bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ" is the righteous standard by which everyone will be judged (Phil. 2:10-11).
Furthermore, God's generosity is set clearly upon display, here. The mercy and love of the generous Judge are seen in that the righteous standard of Christ is imputed to man through faith in Jesus. What an incredible revelation of our Lord! We have the legal and spiritual requirements for an innocent verdict gifted (or imparted) to us, if we personally place our faith in Jesus. On that great and glorious day, when we stand before the Holy Judge, all of those who received the innocence of Christ will be ushered into the eternal state to enjoy the blessings of infinite joy and painless perfection. Whoah! How generous and merciful is that!? We do not deserve it. We could not earn it. Rather, God generously allows the righteous standard found in Messiah to be gifted to all who would believe.
Furthermore, God's generosity is set clearly upon display, here. The mercy and love of the generous Judge are seen in that the righteous standard of Christ is imputed to man through faith in Jesus. What an incredible revelation of our Lord! We have the legal and spiritual requirements for an innocent verdict gifted (or imparted) to us, if we personally place our faith in Jesus. On that great and glorious day, when we stand before the Holy Judge, all of those who received the innocence of Christ will be ushered into the eternal state to enjoy the blessings of infinite joy and painless perfection. Whoah! How generous and merciful is that!? We do not deserve it. We could not earn it. Rather, God generously allows the righteous standard found in Messiah to be gifted to all who would believe.
"First, Yahweh-Elohim, the Lord God, is righteous in that he speaks and Acts in accordance with the purity of his own holy nature; further, what he says and does for Israel is in accordance with his establishment of the covenant with this people (see Psalm 22:31 ; 40:10; 51:14; 71:15-24; Amos 5:21-24). Micah declared the righteousness of God as his faithfulness to keep and act within the covenant and thus to save Israel from her enemies, as well as to vindicate the penitent" (Peter Toon).
What does this mean? This means exactly what we have been talking discussing. The gift of a righteous identity illustrates something about the actions of God. It should be evident, now, that we cannot look at our new identity in Christ without seeing how God interacts with mankind – specifically the goodness of God! What Peter Toon is trying highlight is the concept of righteousness is connected to God's covenant faithfulness. God is faithful and acts faithfully to keep and apply His covenant promises to His people. Simply put, Romans 1:17 shows us that God's righteousness is seen in that He is the faithful giver of this incredible gift. From the faith of our ancestors to the faith of our contemporaries, God is faithful to act in accordance with His character. It is profoundly refreshing to know that our righteousness in Christ gives us a very personal and intimate glimpse into the faithful actions of a Covenant Keeping God!
What does this mean? This means exactly what we have been talking discussing. The gift of a righteous identity illustrates something about the actions of God. It should be evident, now, that we cannot look at our new identity in Christ without seeing how God interacts with mankind – specifically the goodness of God! What Peter Toon is trying highlight is the concept of righteousness is connected to God's covenant faithfulness. God is faithful and acts faithfully to keep and apply His covenant promises to His people. Simply put, Romans 1:17 shows us that God's righteousness is seen in that He is the faithful giver of this incredible gift. From the faith of our ancestors to the faith of our contemporaries, God is faithful to act in accordance with His character. It is profoundly refreshing to know that our righteousness in Christ gives us a very personal and intimate glimpse into the faithful actions of a Covenant Keeping God!
What demands does this place on us?
While the term “demand” may make us a bit uneasy, it does need to be understood that being made righteous places certain expectations upon us (reference work from Douglas Buckwalter). We can know that being made righteous was not without cause. We were made righteous for a purpose. It needs to be understood that the purpose of this gift is more than just vociferous affirmations and confession. Here, we will look at the purpose of this reality and attempt to offer the expectations placed upon us by way of that purpose." (3:16; NIV). This means the expectation of us is to let the Joy of our right standing before God move the heart to works of righteousness. After having been reckoned right before God, our lives should intersect that reality.
If you have heard any teachings on your new righteous identity, it is clear that it offers a value proposition for who we are. First, it shows us that we are fully and completely absolved of guilt before God. The technical terminology is "positional righteousness." Before God, we are wholly vindicated and made right. We are positionally viewed by God as being perfectly innocent in His presence. This does not, of course, mean that we cannot sin or cannot make mistakes. Rather, this shows us that according to heaven's judicial system we are innocent before God! What a treasured reality.
Also, it proves to the soul that we have entered into a covenant relationship with God. (1 Peter 3:12, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer..."). While being absolved of guilt, and spiritually and positionally viewed as justified, it declares our right-standing before the Lord. In short, this means we can enjoy a shameless and condemnationless relationship with God. Our right-standing with God allows us to experience the full joys of a relationship with our Savior! What a treasured reality.
This is true and wonderful, but we must ask still one more question. "what demands does this place on us?" There are two primary demands that being made righteous places upon the believer.
First, it is clear that being made righteous – being given the gift of righteousness before God – means that we are to live righteously. This point becomes clear in one of my favorite Scriptures. In Philippians 3, God inspired Paul to write about one is made righteous before God. In summation, it is by placing your faith in Jesus Christ that justifies you before God and makes you righteous. But in one of the most profound, practical applications to our new identity, the Bible states, "Only let us live up to what we have already attained" (3:16; NIV). This means the expectation of us is to let the Joy of our right-standing before God move the heart to works of righteousness. After having been reckoned right before God, our lives should intersect that reality.
"Only let us live up to what we have already attained" (3:16; NIV).
Look at what Peter Toon says about righteousness as it pertains to the life of the Believers:
"... the covenant people of God are called to live righteously, that is, in conformity to the demands of the covenant and according to God's will (see Psalm 1:4-6; 11:7; 72:1; Isa 1:16-17). Having within the covenantal relation with God the gift of salvation, they are to behave as the people of the holy Lord."
Scripture also attests to this. We know that faith is pleasing to God, but we also know that we are called (upon being saved) to live righteous and holy lives. Psalm 11:7 declares, "For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face." And again, Ephesians 2:8-10 highlights, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." This means that our new righteous identity demands that our lives be lived ever in conformity to the righteous standard of Jesus Christ. We are to "live up to what we have already attained."
Also, it proves to the soul that we have entered into a covenant relationship with God. (1 Peter 3:12, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer..."). While being absolved of guilt, and spiritually and positionally viewed as justified, it declares our right-standing before the Lord. In short, this means we can enjoy a shameless and condemnationless relationship with God. Our right-standing with God allows us to experience the full joys of a relationship with our Savior! What a treasured reality.
This is true and wonderful, but we must ask still one more question. "what demands does this place on us?" There are two primary demands that being made righteous places upon the believer.
First, it is clear that being made righteous – being given the gift of righteousness before God – means that we are to live righteously. This point becomes clear in one of my favorite Scriptures. In Philippians 3, God inspired Paul to write about one is made righteous before God. In summation, it is by placing your faith in Jesus Christ that justifies you before God and makes you righteous. But in one of the most profound, practical applications to our new identity, the Bible states, "Only let us live up to what we have already attained" (3:16; NIV). This means the expectation of us is to let the Joy of our right-standing before God move the heart to works of righteousness. After having been reckoned right before God, our lives should intersect that reality.
"Only let us live up to what we have already attained" (3:16; NIV).
Look at what Peter Toon says about righteousness as it pertains to the life of the Believers:
"... the covenant people of God are called to live righteously, that is, in conformity to the demands of the covenant and according to God's will (see Psalm 1:4-6; 11:7; 72:1; Isa 1:16-17). Having within the covenantal relation with God the gift of salvation, they are to behave as the people of the holy Lord."
Scripture also attests to this. We know that faith is pleasing to God, but we also know that we are called (upon being saved) to live righteous and holy lives. Psalm 11:7 declares, "For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face." And again, Ephesians 2:8-10 highlights, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." This means that our new righteous identity demands that our lives be lived ever in conformity to the righteous standard of Jesus Christ. We are to "live up to what we have already attained."
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:8-10)
Lastly, it demands the refreshing and regular engagement of our relationship with God. Like briefly mentioned above, the gift of right-standing before the Lord allows us to enter into a relationship with God – one that is devoid of shame, condemnation, and guilt. We have been made right with God, and now we can freely enter into that relationship through prayer, fasting, reading the Scripture, fellowship, etc.
The other purpose for having been made righteous before God to freely, regularly, and consistently enjoy our relationship. We can engage and press into a relationship with God. One that is not limited by guilt or shame. We can be bold and confident. We can seek the Lord and know that He is near. We no longer need to consider ourselves separated from Him. We have been made right with the purpose of relationship. May we, now, go and seek our Savior in ways that are unrestrained by condemnation and fear.
"And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father" (Eph. 2:17-18).
Lastly, it demands the refreshing and regular engagement of our relationship with God. Like briefly mentioned above, the gift of right-standing before the Lord allows us to enter into a relationship with God – one that is devoid of shame, condemnation, and guilt. We have been made right with God, and now we can freely enter into that relationship through prayer, fasting, reading the Scripture, fellowship, etc.
The other purpose for having been made righteous before God to freely, regularly, and consistently enjoy our relationship. We can engage and press into a relationship with God. One that is not limited by guilt or shame. We can be bold and confident. We can seek the Lord and know that He is near. We no longer need to consider ourselves separated from Him. We have been made right with the purpose of relationship. May we, now, go and seek our Savior in ways that are unrestrained by condemnation and fear.
"And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father" (Eph. 2:17-18).
Dusty Dahlin
Married with two boys, Dusty is dedicated to his family, the Church were he pastors, and the life-long pursuit of knowing God more fully. There is nothing Dusty loves more than serving God by helping others understand the treasures of Scripture.
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