Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
1 John 3:1-3
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
As a kid growing up, I always wanted to fit in. Growing up with parents from a different country, I was seen and known as “Irvin the African.” I struggled with getting teased because I looked different and spoke differently. So as a result, I did everything I could to try and blend in. From what I wore, how I walked, to what I listened to, my goal was to blend in because of the insecurities of being different. What happened though was that I ended up having an identity crisis. I was ashamed of my Ugandan heritage and tried to mask being different by simply trying to blend in. Everything changed however when I grew up and actually embraced my heritage. Now I am proud of who I am, my heritage and my understanding of why the Lord created me to be who I am. Identity crisis averted!
Listen friend, in Jesus Christ our identity crisis has been averted as well. The Bible says in 1 John 3 that because of God’s love for us, He sent His Son Jesus to die for us so that all who believe can now be called children of God. In Galatians 4:4-7, the apostle Paul tells us that we have been adopted into the family of God. In Romans 5, not only are we known for not being children of God, we are known as enemies of Him. We are known for being far away from Him. However, God in His love made a way for that reality to be changed, In Christ our identity crisis has been averted.
For many of us, if we are not careful, we can easily forget whose we are. Perhaps it may be that you are in a difficult season of life and it doesn’t feel like you are God’s child. Perhaps you may have forgotten whose you are because the enemy has been telling you lies that even though you know Jesus, because of your past, because you don’t know enough of the bible that you aren’t really His child. Maybe you find yourself enslaved by fear because of all that has been going on in the world today.
Whatever it may be, I have good news today: in Christ, you are known as a child of the One True God. You do not belong to your past anymore. In Christ, you are a child of God. You are no longer a slave to fear, in Christ you are a child of God. Those lies that have been swimming in your head, understand that the enemy is the father of lies and his opinion does not matter. Choose to rest in the truth and the promises of God that you are fully known and loved by the One who has made you. Hallelujah! I pray today friend that you rest in the truth that you do not have to walk in an identity crisis anymore because in Christ, you are a child of God!
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your love for me. Help me to rest in the truth that my identity is found in You and being Your child. May this reality lead me to worship You and tell others about You in every season of life. In Jesus’ name, amen!
SONG OF WORSHIP FOR TODAY: No Longer Slaves
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.