What or who are we according to the Word of God? We live on this earth as Gods children much like self made orphans. We have no thought of who we really are in Gods sight. The Word of God says that we see through a glass darkly, but very rarely see the potential we really have as Gods children. (1 Corinthians 13:12) I wrote on this subject back in 2020 but I believe it deserves another look as our world is such a different place today.
We get sick, we are easily defeated or manipulated by our emotions, we are broke, we are not at peace, we are always angry or upset about or with something, or someone, we are always afraid or fearful, we don’t walk in love as we should, ect. I’m talking to me too, not just you. We all live way below or beneath who we really are. This is what the apostle Paul called carnal or being just like the world. (1 Corinthians 3:3-4)
Do we ever take the time to be aware of our lives each moment? I dare say we fail in this aspect of life. We are too busy and most actions and decisions in our life are automatically lived without any thoughts of the consequences. Let’s look at one of our biggest threats- FEAR.
Mr. Webster gives us this description, dread, fright, alarm, panic, terror. An unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger, anxious concern. Loss of courage, loss of calmness.
Not what is the opposite of fear? Once again we turn to Mr. Webster, aplomb, assurance, boldness, confidence, courage, fortitude. So for a general description of fear we can use it as a strong feeling or emotion as to what could happen to us.
2 Timothy 1:7 says, “for God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” So we see here that God does not give us fear. It is anti God-Christ, and is from the enemy of God who manipulates our emotions. So what is the opposite of fear? Some say faith, but faith is not an emotion. Nowhere in this verse does it say anything about faith. Is the opposite of fear then love? 1 John 4: 18, “there is no fear in love but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
Fear always tells you that Gods word is not enough for your situation. Fear to my line of thought is not trusting in God to protect and deliver you. But if you are not in tune with the Word of God daily then you are just existing and not living the life that He wants you to live and enjoy. One of peace, joy, and assurance that He is in control of everything you will ever go through, even death.
I like Mr. Websters choice of assurance being an opposite of fear, along with confidence, boldness and courage. But if we do not stay aware of who we are in Christ and to whom we belong then we will be trapped by fear once again. Remember fear is just an emotion or feeling. Trusting in God is always your answer and by so doing you will calm your own mind as you use the mind of Christ that God gave you when you first believed in Him. (1 Corinthians 2:16)
It seems such a waste of our lives to live as Christian’s without realizing who we really are according to the Bible. What can we do to change our thinking and help the “Church” wake up? Can we really make a difference? To answer both questions is easy. Start with you, change your mindset and allow the word of God to renew your mind, (Romans 12:2) then as others see your new confidence in God they will ask you what has happened.
We are called of Jesus Christ, called to be saints.(1 Corinthians 1:2) (Hagios 40) is the Greek word for saints and it means to be sacred, pure, blameless and consecrated. Then it also means (Hagnos 53) to be clean, innocent, modest, perfect, chaste and pure.
This clue is a pretty good start, is it not? We are clean and innocent by our new birthright, a child of God. We are beloved of God. We are His by design. He made us in His image. We look like Him, He looks like us. 2 eyes, 1 nose, 1 mouth, 2 arms, 2 legs, 2 feet, 2 hands. We are wonderfully and fearfully made. (Psalms 139:14) Wow! We are blessed beyond measure. We belong to God. He loves us more than we know.
We are not to be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.(Romans 1:16) When you know to what family you belong to, how can you be ashamed? You have to not know, and not be confident, to feel ashamed.
In Romans 2:8, I’m using the Amplified translation, we find Paul giving a description of those who are not in tune with God as His children. Let’s turn the words around and change this to fit us as Gods child, but for those of us who are not self seeking or self willed, we are obedient to the truth of Gods word. Paul is showing us how to live as Gods children and not as children of the world.
We are justified by faith and we have peace with the Lord Jesus. (Romans 5:1) We are justified by his blood and are saved from wrath through Jesus. We are reconciled to God by the death of his son and we are saved by his life, by his resurrection. Peace is the opposite of fear!
It disturbs me that the Church does not teach the word of God as it is given to us in the New Testament. If it did, then signs and wonders would be in it! (Mark 16:20) We are losing people faster than we can draw them in. Signs and wonders were given to the Church to draw in the curious unbelievers and to deliver those who were sick and diseased. When will we wake up. This is not 1924, it’s 2024!
Are we really Gods children? Of course we are, if we believe in Jesus and the only way into heaven is through him by the new birth. Why are we not taught who we are? Why do we put up with these things that so easily besets us. (Hebrews 12:1)
I hope I have given you enough information on who you really are and how to change your mindset. I’m still trying to get my own life lined up with Gods plan for me daily and I don’t want you to think it’s going to be easy. It is a constant battle in your mind, but it’s one you can win. Start with a little bit of change and continue in it and be amazed. Remember, you will make it, just don’t give up.
In His Service As Kilted Priest
The Kilted Priest 