Two Truths

I sit here in a coffee shop in Auburn waiting on my conference to begin. I read and pray. And two great truths keep coming to my mind and both are good news for you and for me.

The first – My identity is in Christ, determined by Christ, encouraged by Christ, sealed by Christ. No one can take it away or modify it. No one. But we need the community of the church, of other Christians, whether in a Sunday service or small group or a weekly get together to remind us of that truth. Alone and away from such community, we forget far too easily who we really are and how we are designed to love and live and walk in joyful faith. We must have that community to remind us of this basic truth of our identity in Christ.

The second – Surrounded by that great cloud of community, we are encouraged and find more faith to throw off the weight and sin that so closely cling. (Heb12:1)  A large part of that weight and sin is being too concerned about the opinions of others. No one gives identity to Christians but Jesus and he has said to those whose trust is in him that they are loved, and named, and forgiven, and kept, and rejoiced over… and that they are his.

That’s good news. 

Relax 

...and rejoice.