I've been reading the book Abba's Child by Brennan Manning. While listening to the sermon this week, I was reminded of something he said in the book, "Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion."
Living in the Land Called Gospel means radically defining myself as one loved by God, and one truly belonging to the Colony of Heaven. I love the idea of radical definition in Christ, but it is so hard to embrace because I am constantly tempted by earthly things.
After listening to the sermon this week and reading Abba's Child, I started to pay attention to my thoughts while I was around friends and family. Constantly I was asking myself, am I defining myself by my interactions with people? By earthly things? By what people think of me (which is just what I think people think of me and is hardly ever true)? In order to run away from the temptation of getting caught up in earthly things, I had to continuously remind myself that I am a child of God, I am the beloved, I am a true citizen of heaven. Seriously, these phrases rung around in my head all week.
I become an enemy of the cross when I don't embrace, as DJ says, radical dependence on Christ. When I instead depend on earthly things, I lose my way.
Jesus, help me to recognize my true definition and dependence in you.
Words of Peter came to mind as I read your post - "You are a royal priesthood a holy nation a people belonging to God.... once not a people. Now the people of God." This verse and passage around it ties in so many ways to what we've been hearing in this series but I never thought of it until I read your thoughts this morning. Thx for bringing it alive in me!
ReplyDeleteYes Collin I love that line from Abba's Child!! Sweet connection you made, thanks for that.
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