2023-07-03 | Identity
2023-07-03 07:45
2nd Day of the Week
Preface:
In a world of faces and oh so many faces, in a world of numbers and so many-many numbers, man is seeking out his own identity, lost in the crowds of individuals who shouts out too, "look at me, who am I?" We are lost among the multitude and so badly want to be seen, so we introduce ourselves as, "I am ___."
Identity is important for a person, and that is something that will be agreed on over many spectrums of opinions. Now, I am not writing for children, so I can leave this on the "meatier" side of things. Identity is whatever you can fill in behind the "I am" statement. Some of it may be true and obvious, but some open for interpretation and others still complete fabrications. The greater question to ask is this: "Who do I say I am to myself." That is where a lie can cause the most damage. Because a person with a false handle or an undefined title will grab a hold of anything that will fill the space.
So, who am I then?
While we permit others to define us, we must be clear on who we truly are; at very least who we think we are. And the great thing about being a human being is that we can choose who we are, and then start living out that identity. Some identities are simple, I am a man, a father and a son. I am thus so far, three things. If I say am a writer, then surely, I will do some writing at least, not? However, I tell you I am not a writer, does that leave you confused? You see, writing is just part of a greater identity I have. Writing is just part of what I do. I read, so am I defined then as a reader; or does reading not pair with writing? I state it to you that I am all of these things, when I do them; however, it still does not speak to my true identity. This does not yet define me individually. There are many that do some of the things I do, but fewer that does all I do. While we can even share common first names and surnames, surely there is just one of each of us, not? I suppose that twins may challenge that, but even then, there is something that separate them from being one person; at least they have two separate bodies.
The question of identity has surfaced of recent years to become more challenging. Now, each unto their own, and each to decide for themselves, but the question remains: what of what you say is true and what is a lie you tell yourself?
The LORD our GOD is a GOD of respect for identity too; often sending heavenly messengers to someone, just to tell them what he wants them to name their child. So are their identities given to groups of people and even of like-minded people. So, you become a member of your nationality or even Jew or gentile. All these many definitions and identities, even as large as mankind. But, what or who, defines you best? That is the focus the LORD brings to this day's lesson.
Daily reading:
Daily writing:
I am the LORD your GOD; yea, I am the LORD of Elisha. Son of man, why do I proclaim to you who I am the LORD of? Now, I will say it plainly, for up to now, you have not understood it. I say, that I am the LORD your GOD, so that you know that I am with you. I say I am the LORD of Elisha, and as I was his GOD with him then, so am I the LORD your GOD, with you now. The same GOD who can do for you as I have done then.
Selah
Am I the LORD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; think on who I said I am the LORD of? The promises and blessings is for you as it was for them. Do I say I am the LORD of a current ruler? Yet, say I, I am the LORD GOD of Mattit'YAHU. Yea, to each I reveal Myself as I please and how it is appropriate. I call you by a Name, by purpose and by order. Yea, I have called you by a name you did not know before. So do I call on each for purpose. Yea, what indeed is in a name, given to you by the LORD your GOD. So shall you be, so shall it be.
Selah
You are one that speaks to many, many you did not see, many you do not know. So, do I call even without your knowledge, to task those who are set and called before you were even born. Am I the LORD of David? Am I the LORD of Daniel? So am I, the Father of All that I created for My purpose; yea, Mattit'YAHU, so am I your LORD too. Did I speak to Abraham, even face to face? Was I with David in the cave in his distress? Was I in the fire, was I in the Lion's Den. Am I then not in your house this day? All around you I show you My Majesty. I am the GOD of Mattit'YAHU. Oh! You son of Aaron, what have your fathers done; and have I held it against you? For you called on My Name and I heard you from where you were. Yes, I am with you.
What all has man been told? What is the report given and is it true? I told you, man will accept a lie sooner than he will hear the truth. Yea, of all that has been said, know this: I heard it too; all the words of righteousness, but also every lie ever told. So has good and evil become part of man, one to death and the other to life. Which then have you lent out your ear to? Yea, which one did you permit to settle within you? If only man was not so stubborn, if only he could repent.
Yea, there are those among you, that have not defiled themselves by evil practice, many more still, gave in to every temptation that came their way. Yea, they got drunk on the blood of saints. For man it is hard to comprehend, but answer this ten: Where does the bread on your table come from; how sweet was the taste of your dainties? Man eats and eats, but he does not consider who baked his bread; yea, he knows not the name of him that poured his wine. So, is Joseph still in prison?
Son of man, Mattit'YAHU; how long still will man ponder on the written words? Who was the authors of the words that man consume? Is he an ally, is he a friend; or are the words weaved on paper to recruit for a forbidden kingdom? As man says, "We will see when we get there." But tell Me, son of man, when is "too late" then to condemnation?
I gave man a mind to think and a heart to feel. In thinking... and in feeling... who did you serve? Of all the knowledge man gathered together; which then is good and what is evil; do you know? Yes, man knows both good and evil, none decerning; and evil is lapped up, as blood by a dog, and loved. So shall the curses come to the man who loved evil; but so too, the blessings and promises to those that abstained from taking part in destruction. Of love, man loved himself. Of faith, man had none and of judgment, it shall surely come. And the birds of the air and the animals of the field, they shall feast. Yea, they shall have a great meal.
But you, My son, take care of your walk, be then an outsider if you must. Remember the words of wisdom, remember all My warnings. For, when the trumpets blast, it is as good as game over.
Shalom
Introspection:
So, who am I? And this is a question you should ask yourself too, for your own benefit please. There on your own with no other person to pass judgment on you. What is the identity I associate most with. Who am I before the LORD my GOD? What does GOD say about me?
Well, in introspection, first I must acknowledge that I am human, a descendant of Adam, whom GOD ALMIGHTY Created and if that is true, so is this:
Psalms 51:5 (NIV) "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me."
Romans 3:23 (NIV) "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
Romans 5:12 (NIV) "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—"
Ephesians 2:1-3 (NIV) "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh (In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
Then, unrepented and unsaved; I am a sinner. And it is in this second obvious classification of my identity where we encounter a huge problem. Because in the lack of forgiveness, we seek in our own human efforts to be justified of the acts we have done and the words we have spoken. In reading Romans 10 this morning it was so clearly defined by Paul; so please, for the sake of your soul read it. You see, I have already done this step, I know that I am a sinner saved by grace, the GRACE of GOD in JESUS CHRIST. In the very name of our saviour, Yeshua, it means YHVH Saves. There are some great Bible plans on the YouVersion Bible App that will help you look at how the LORD sees you. But unrepented and unsaved, you will feel lost. Lost in identity because you have departed from the Creator. Yes, you might feel as naked and ashamed as Adam and Eve felt in the garden of Eden. But in Christ, we are clothed in His righteousness and justified by His perfection. We are still sinners, but now we are forgiven. There is a huge risk of misunderstanding this concept, so it best you make a full study of at least the Book of Romans.
What does the Bible say, who was Adam? In the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Luke 3:38 (NIV) "the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God." Now we know it is because GOD made Adam, and so GOD then is the Father of Adam. So the true decedents of Adam have this common claim, that GOD created us. So, what does GOD say to you about who you are. Or are you going to believe the serpent at the tree of good and evil? GOD made us, He know best who we are. God says we are stiff-necked. He gave his LAW to Moses, that no man part from Jesus Christ could keep in righteousness. That makes us sinners, falling short of the glory of GOD, as mentioned above in Romans 3:23.
So now I know I am a human being, a man of gender and that I am a sinner that can only be saved by the Saviour of mankind, Jesus Christ. But what else does the Lord say about us? He calls us his children. He says that we should call Him Father; and Jesus Himself says, call no man Father... I cannot quote this every time my friend. I have so many times already in times past (Matthew 23:9).
Galatians 3:26 (NIV) "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,"
This world would have you believe that you are the result of some random chance, but the LORD says that he weaved us together in our mother's womb.
Psalms 139:13-16 (NIV) "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Revelations 20:12-15 (NIV) (To understand about the book) "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." (You see, the Word of GOD is consistent.)
So, there are many things you can fill in behind the "I am" of your statements; even I am tired, I am fed up; all these things are like speaking life over things. And if you must grab an identity, at least grab one that you or someone else can make true for you. The best yet, of all to follow when you say I am, please say, I am saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, the LAMB of GOD.
Galatians 3:13-14 (NIV) "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."
Revelations 12:11 (NIV) "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
This world gives you an identity that is hopeless; it simply marks you as one of the many "seemingly insignificant" ones. You are of this group or of that group, but the LORD establish you in a unique identity and call you, "My son/daughter or child." Here is an example of someone who had a solid foundation in his identity before the LORD.
2 Kings 1:12 (NIV) "“If I am a man of God,” Elijah replied, “may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men."
and another...
2 Kings 6:16-17 (NIV) " “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
So, what is your identity then; in your own eyes, but more importantly; when saved by grace; who are you to GOD?
Shalom
Psalms 96:1-3 (NIV) "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations,his marvelous deeds among all peoples."
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