How do we know what our lives should look like?
The world tries to pin many identities on us, teaching us to look to our work or to our families or to our sexual identities as the defining aspects of our lives. However, Paul clearly states in Romans 15:4 that Scripture is our guide. Both the Old and the New Testaments were written for our edification, teaching us who and whose we are.
The question of identity is a critical one, and Scripture does not ignore it. Scripture teaches us that Jesus Christ loved us so much that He purchased us with His own blood (1 Peter 1:19) so that we might have a new identity in Him. Due to this identity, our service for others becomes service to the Lord.
As we serve, we ought to pursue unity. Whatever our differences may be, God calls us to be unified as we glorify Him because of the new identity He has given us. This does not mean our tastes or our decisions will be identical. Instead, God works through the diversity He has created to bring Himself glory.
Our new identity also fills us with hope and joy and love. There is a richness to being filled with the Holy Spirit; He equips us for His service. As Romans 15:13 says,
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
We can hope in the promises of our unchanging God rather than in the changing promises of the world. Hearing truth again and again shapes us and reminds us of our identity.
Having received this good news ourselves, we can and should share it with others. God’s Spirit works through His people and spreads to other people. It’s not that we are creating the good news, but we are a conduit of it, participating in God’s extraordinary works.
Every day is a realization that we cannot control anything. We must be dependent on the Spirit for everything. Paul knew this well because his plans changed numerous times. He had longed to visit the Romans for some time but had been unable to do so. However, he submitted his plans to God, surrendering to God’s will for his life.
In the same way, we too ought to submit to God, seeking His will. As a result of doing so, we will become more and more secure in our identity in Christ.
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This teaching is based on Ken’s Handbook to Scripture.
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