The Narrow Place of Identity
The God-given goal of my life is to find my true identity in God. This is what it means to be "born again." You can hang onto the identity you and the culture God has placed you into have been building for you since birth, or you can let it all go and get a new name.
This is real.
None of these identities can pass into the age to come. No pride or human strength, including our own perceived goodness, will be esteemed in heaven.
There is only one identity that will survive the testing of this moment in time and "the pit" of everlasting shame, as Ezekiel called it:
Ezekiel 31:13-14 NKJV — ‘On its ruin will remain all the birds of the heavens,
And all the beasts of the field will come to its branches— ‘So that no trees by the waters may ever again exalt themselves for their height, nor set their tops among the thick boughs, that no tree which drinks water may ever be high enough to reach up to them.
‘For they have all been delivered to death,
To the depths of the earth,
Among the children of men who go down to the Pit.’
All of creation is groaning for this rebirth of identity for those who will choose it. Whatever is going on in your life right now is the best circumstances God could give you to leave your former life (the old man) and go into a new life in God. This isn't a one time thing. This is the trajectory of your choices forever if you choose it:
Romans 8:17-19 NKJV — and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
Only sons of God will go on for an eternity of productivity, goodness, and fruitfulness. Only those who have left every other identity behind and been born again as like Yeshua.
Revelation 2:16-17 NKJV — “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’
A son does what his Father is doing. He accepts no other identity, but yet finds them all attributed to Him!
Romans 8:29 NKJV — For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Those who seek first the kingdom of God become known forever as the best fathers, mothers, brothers, sons, daughters, workers, creators, and wise... The best investors... The best helpers... The most relevant. This is the Messiah we are invited to follow:
Philippians 2:7-9 NKJV — but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
Search history and you will find those most notable for doing anything actually good in a way that endures the ages were those submitted to the leadership of God.
This will always be true.
The flesh feels the pressure of "right now" in a way that demands you make the most of your time for your goals... For your identity. This is foolishness, especially in the name of God or the cause of what you see to be good.
Eternity invites us into patience and faith... To give ourselves to God, however He might use us.
This preaches well, but nearly all will go down the wide road of self, patting themselves on the back that they are doing good for God, but in reality doing what is best for them to be seen as good.
Selflessness is the biggest risk you will ever take on wasting your life and losing your identity. That's how you know it's selfless... There is nothing in it for you but obedience to good, and there is only One good.
Risk = Faith
Can you trust that risking everything on God's leadership will actually give you what your heart was made to want?
Mark 10:27-31 NKJV — But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.” So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, “who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
We are being tested, so God can find those who really want goodness!
Selflessness is only truly found in obedience to the leadership of God. No one could ever be selfless apart from God's leadership. He is the only being outside of Himself.. the uncreated God is the only one capable of being outside of creation... Serving creation, not being served. To be like Him you must be led by Him... Otherwise you are deluded by your own ideas of goodness and waking in a fog of pride.
To be seated in heavenly places with Jesus is the only identity that will pass through the fire of the judgment of right now. That position is an eternal one. Heaven is coming to earth right now. You need to find your place there!
To move into an identity in the age that is breaking upon the earth, you must forgo every self-styled identity and place all the weight of who you will be known as on Him.
Few find this narrow road to life.
Matthew 10:33-40 NKJV — “But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. “For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; “and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
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