SONS…and because you really are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, Abba Father! Therefore, you are a son, and if a son, an heir through the gracious act of God through Jesus…Galatians 4:6-7
Every week at Forge, we are reminded of the importance of our identity. This idea of identity is used so much these days. If you did a search online, you would see commentary from many disciplines…business, psychology, philosophy, religion, sociology, so many areas seeking to help us define who we are. For FORGE Men, Pete has lead us so well in understanding the importance of how we answer this question about ourselves…I can hear him saying it now, “we are deeply beloved sons of the most high God!”
This week I read from Scotty Smith about the importance of “preaching the Gospel to yourself.” What this really means is being reminded everyday regarding how God would identify us. He asks this question…We are always talking to ourselves, so why not fill the conversation with the life-giving, heart-transforming truth of the gospel? This isn’t “mind over matter,” or merely the power of positive thinking. It’s the Gospel for the whole of life. All week I have read from Scotty as to what it looks like to remember who we really are, what our good, good Father says to us ALL the time. As you read these words from our Father, I’m asking the Holy Spirit to use this words, even right now as we read them, so we would live out our faith in our families, neighborhoods, churches, and workplace with confidence, composure, and compassion.
Our Father says…
I love you to the same degree, and with the same delight, I love My Son Jesus!
I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me…John 17:23
I have made you in My image!
I am fearfully and wonderfully made…Psalm 139:14
You are completely and exhaustively forgiven!
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace…Ephesians 1:7
I will never use your sins against you!
I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more…Hebrews 10:17
You are washed clean and guilt free!
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool…Isaiah 1:18
Your Judgment Day has already taken place!
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…Romans 8:1
I have already declared you legally and perfectly righteous in Christ!
God our Father made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him…2 Corinthians 5:21
By the work of the whole Trinity, you are washed, sanctified and justified!
You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God…1 Corinthians 6:11
My Fatherly love for you is unwavering and unfailing!
I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself…Jeremiah 31:3
You obey Me best by beholding, believing, and basking in My love for you!
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are…1 John 3:1
Because of My Son Jesus’ finished work, I, your Father, rejoice over you, I even sing to you!
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing…Zephaniah 3:17
Jesus set you free from the demands of the law and performance identity!
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law…Galatians 5:1
Jesus’ cross was your Judgment Day. My love frees you from the fear of judgment!
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love…1 John 4:18
You have been sealed and indwelt by My Spirit!
In Jesus you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance…Ephesians 1:13-14
You have the “Spirit of sonship” living in you, freeing you from all fear!
You did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, Abba! Father!…Romans 8:15
The hope of the Gospel assures you of My full, unbreakable acceptance!
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold…2 Corinthians 3:12
You have perpetual access to My occupied throne of grace!
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most…Hebrews 4:16
These words our powerful and TRUE!
I don’t always believe them but daily reminders from Him and from brothers like you are doing a work in all of us to Gods’ Glory and the good of our world.
Believing it with you my FORGE Brothers…Kelley
