Your Identity In Christ: Day 10 - Pastor Paul Looney
Click here to watch the video in a new window
“Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.”
Romans 15:7 (NASB)
A common struggle in our souls is one of acceptance. Maybe you can relate. We struggle to accept ourselves and hear the enemy’s lies we will never be good enough, smart enough, successful enough, pretty enough to measure up to some façade of whatever we set for a standard. In relationship to God, we can become convinced that He would never accept us as we are – we’re too sinful. Even Peter, one of Jesus’ own disciples felt that way when he said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” Luke 5:8 (NLT) Have you ever thought you could never belong in His family? We settle for less than God designed for us and live quiet lives of desperation as Henry David Thoreau once said.
If you’ve felt that way, I have great news for you! You can have a new identity in Christ that offers one of acceptance and belonging! In Romans 15:7 (NASV), the Bible says, “Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us, for the glory of God.” A liberating truth is found in that passage: We have been accepted by God and because of His acceptance we can accept one another.
What makes this so incredible is that God accepted us in our very worst state. According to Romans 5:10 (NIV), the Bible says, “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!” Look at the first part of that verse again. It says we have been received by God while we were His enemies! That is GRACE!
The Biblical truth is that you are accepted by God! He never rejected you. You may feel rejected, but God says, “No! My Son, Jesus Christ accepted you! I accept you!” When we receive His acceptance of us, we can accept others. This involves believing and belonging! Because God has accepted you, you belong in His forever family! From this place of belonging, we can accept others, inviting them to belong to the family of faith. Are you part of God’s family of faith? If not, we extend a special invitation for you to join us this Sunday following the final morning service for our New Year Membership Class. You can register now to join us live or online at live.wc.org Begin 2024 by being intentional in your faith and experience the difference belonging to a community of faith can make in your life.
Let’s take one final look at Romans 15:7 in the New Living Translation. It says, “Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.” This helps us understand another great truth: By receiving us, God invites us to partake in His glory. By receiving others, we bring glory to Him. We are vessels of Grace. We are filled so we can pour out.
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.