In RU, we have 3 separate parts - the 2 "talk, talk, talk"'s. In the first talk, we talk to God through praise and testimony. In the second talk, we talk to each other through counsel time. And, in the 3rd talk, God talks to us through His Word and His man. Last night was absolutely wonderful and lightbulbish (not a word, but work with me here :-) ).
It was based upon realizing our new identity in Christ. "Nevertheless I live yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Galatians 2:21. He defined identity as "A set of characteristics (behavior) by which something is positively recognized." How wonderful it would be for people to look at me and see me, and just know that my identity was in Christ! But, it seems that often, my "old nature" rears its' VERY ugly head and lets my old identity shine through. That's what always confused me and baffled me. How can I, a Christian, be so awful when I am "supposed to act good"?
Then, last night it hit me: I have been trying to change the old nature! I wasn't always just going with the new nature. Does this make any sense? It's hard to convey what is in my mind sometimes!
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE; old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17. It doesn't just say "he has to work on himself to be like Christ." No, not at all! It says a NEW CREATURE! Old things (my old nature, my old ways, every awful and sinful thing about me) are passed away. It doesn't mean that it's easy. I still have to "die to myself daily", but now I have God in my heart also. While I can't do it, He can!
"Your identity is such that WHO you are in Christ determines HOW you behave." Not the other way around. It is not How you behave determines who you are, which is the way we make it a lot of the times. If a person lies, he is a liar, etc. No, with Christ, if we fully surrender and fully die to ourselves everyday, we will begin to behave as who we are.
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