And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
It has been claimed by culture that Identity is the strongest persuasion technique available (Scott Adams, the writer of “Dilbert” cartoon, talks about this more than once in his blog). Commercials found in all media types – TV, radio, print, and Internet – often use spokespersons or models to provide someone for us to identify with. We have beautiful women modeling clothing, making the implied message “if you wear this clothing, you will be perceived as beautiful as this model.” And women often buy them. Why? Sports legends wear athletic clothing, and as an endorsement of their wearing it, people often buy the items. Why?
When we wear the items, we identify with with the spokesperson or model. We may already identify with them as our “hero”, and want to further identify with them by wearing the clothes they wear, or eat what they eat, or drive what they drive, etc. Sometimes when wearing the clothing, we feel we look more attractive, like the models who wear them.
And while this observation appears to be true, Satan corrupts what God intended for good. We were meant to identify with God’s most beloved Son, Jesus Christ. It is IN HIM that we are reconciled to God; have been given every spiritual blessing; have been adopted; that we would be the praise of His Glory; have been raised up and seated with Christ in the heavenly realms; and so much more…
So, let’s ask ourselves a question – who do we identify with most?
A short prayer of preparation:
Glorious Father in Heaven, we thank You for Your love and preparing a place for us with You in Heaven. We thank You for who You are, and for sending Your Son, that through Him, we are reconciled to You. You have given us this wonderful opportunity to identify with Jesus. Work on our hearts that Jesus would be who we would most identify with, for this is what You intended from before time began. Guard our hearts against the false calls of culture and the pleasures of this world, that we might have greater joy in the pleasure of Your company and communion. This we ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Want more? Why not try A. B. Simpson or A. W. Tozer?
CHRIST ALLIANCE CHURCH 