BELOVED - Exploring God's Grace in the Book of EPHESIANSSample

IDENTITY

by Shogo Akadiri

Meditate on this: We have been set apart as holy because Jesus Christ did what God wanted him to do by sacrificing his body once and for all.(Heb 10:10)

There is something similar about how Apostle Paul usually begins his epistles to churches. He began his letter to the Ephesians with a very brief but powerful description of who he is and what he represents: a posture that could be misinterpreted as pride is seen in Ephesians1:1; “Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed), by the will of God (that is, by His purpose and choice), to the saints (God’s people) who are at Ephesus and are faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus:”. But this is a man who has a deep sense of identity, an individual who fully comprehends who he is in the light of his full knowledge of Christ.

We need to take a lesson from Paul who, in all his letters and communications to the church and believers in his lifetime, declared boldly who he was and what he represents despite the obstacles and non-acceptance from the majority. He did not just stop at having a full understanding of who he was but also helped people to realize whom they are and the things that the grace of God made available through Christ Jesus.

You can see his reference to his readers in the second half of the verse: ‘to the saints (God's people) who are at Ephesus and are faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus' (AMP). The New Living Translation reads this way: ‘I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.' In all his writings, believers are always addressed as ‘saints', not ‘sinners'. Even when there were things to be corrected, this identity did not change. Issues were addressed as to ‘saints' who needed a reminder of who they are, not as ‘sinners' who need to become saints. The blood of Jesus is what sanctified His people- the church.

Our true sense of identity should come from a place of our knowledge of the God that we serve, and God is sincerely seeking for such a generation that understands her heritage in Christ and will walk in the light of that knowledge.

When we come to that place of knowledge and power, our world will experience the kingdom of heaven here on earth.

“….but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." Daniel 11:32b

Shalom.

CONFESSION: I declare I know who I am in Christ Jesus. Therefore, by the grace of God through Christ I am chosen, anointed. By His will and choice, by the purpose of God I am faithful, I am steadfast in Christ Jesus. I am graced, I am at peace and I have a sound mind; I am not confused. My steps are ordered to His will and purpose. I walk right, I speak right, I do right. I am blessed of the Lord!