Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32 NASB2020
Who we are matters much more than what we do. Our actions are discrete, our identities are eternal. Our sins can be forgiven, our personalities can be redeemed, our souls need nurturing and our lives are incomplete apart from the unity that the Holy Spirit brings.
It’s been a long time coming, but I think people are ready to live for Jesus again. Identity is the anchor of every action we do. Are we a child of God or a product of the world? Are we a son or daughter of the King or a happenstance product of our circumstances? Are we an overcomer or a victim?
If we know who we are in Christ, we will find peace and rest for our souls. Our identity won’t be in what we do, what we have, or our relative performance to some external standard. Actions, possessions and judgments are immaterial to our self worth. We are defined by one thing, and one thing alone, we have been forgiven in Christ Jesus for the redemption of our souls.
Are you forgiven? Do you believe in the finished work of the Cross? It’s a one and done. Believe and you will be saved. But it doesn’t end there. Daily, we remember our Savior and His sacrifice, so that we can walk in freedom from the power and penalty of sin.
Have you stumbled recently? Have you fallen short of the standard, which is Christ? Have you been disobedient? Have you acted out of character for a person of faith? There is grace. His mercies are new every morning.
The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. We become acutely aware when our thoughts, words and deeds are out of character with our true identity, an ambassador of Christ.
It’s simple to get back on track. Simply confess your sin as sin. Agree with God’s standard. He will wash you clean again, as if you had never sinned. Pride is what keeps us in prison. Humility is what sets us free.
There is a call being sent out across humanity. Anyone can answer. It’s not for the special ones or the privileged or the elite. It’s for everyone. Anyone. Even you. Even me.
Be a child of God. Be a son or a daughter. Be loved. Be accepted unconditionally into God’s eternal family by grace. Never fear again. Never be alone again. Always know that help is on the way. It’s always too soon to give up. Hope springs eternal.
You are God’s children. Be kind to one another. Be compassionate. Be generous. Forgive one another as you have been forgiven. Quit judging one another. Recognize that we’re all works in progress. We’re all on a similar journey to sanctification. None of us is perfect. That’s why we need a Savior. God’s grace is enough. And there’s enough for all of us.
One faith. One Lord. One family in Christ.
This is our time. Rise up in unity and let the whole world know that Jesus is alive. Amen.
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:9-15 ESV