Last session we got reminded of who we are in Christ, when we went over how we were accepted. For many of us, getting a strong head knowledge of who we are and who’s we are is monumental, and vital. Others it might almost be like water running off a duck’s back. Some have been told since childhood about the relationship with God through Christ and they were loved, nurtured and cared for in fashion that created a feeling of confidence, a feeling of peace, and truthfully a feeling of safety and security.
Yet there are many more people that did not have that kind of childhood, and there may have been much uncertainty. There might have been glimmers of hope and joy and other days of sadness, disappointment, neglect and personal abandonment (emotional, physical and spiritual).
Trusting and having confidence in others really is foundational in a child’s early years. It creates an ability to experiment, explore and learn with healthy support and encouragement. When one has stability in their relationships when they are young they get a strong secure belief of themselves. The realize that they are loved, accepted and cherished.
Not to point out bad parents, but more of your experiences, what was your trust, confidence and personal security like as a child?
The Bible clearly states in Romans 3:23, “all fall short of the glory of God”. That is an encouragement that no one is perfect. Without perfection, there are flaws, mistakes and failures. Because of our before mentioned trust and security, how one deals with failure is very important. For many of us, like Adam, when we screw up we either want to…
- hide our mistake and pretend it did not happen
- blame others for what happened
- flee and not face the truth
- curl up in shame and take the emotional attack
When you were younger, what was your “go to” response to failure?
How we experienced failure and how we respond to failures is generally how we even respond to our God. As we did last week, we want to be reminded today of the Biblical truths about our security in Christ.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. – Romans 8:1-2 ESV
We are free from condemnation. It does not remove any consequences as the result of our actions, but we are not ridiculed and shamed to the point of destruction. Remember, like an old run down house that is unsafe and worthless, it is “condemned” and it then gets destroyed and removed for the safety of others. This verse in the Bible states that if we are accepted (as we learned last week) The Holy Spirit gives us security that we are not condemned. The Message translation helps support this understanding.
With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. – Romans 8:1-2 MSG
One of the benefits in life when we are in an atmosphere of safety and comfort, we get encouragement and hope of getting to try again. That our failures and mistakes are not our identity. Where things can happen in life and we get up, dust ourselves off and make another go at it. During the early years of life, it is crucial to know there is an ability to learn and mature from our shortcomings. But if we responded to any of those unhealthy behaviors above, it lays a foundation of our mental and spiritual security. If we get the concept that all of life is an experiment for our learning we can approach and live through life in a different fashion. Simple new things can be great learning. Regardless of good or bad, experiences get registered in our brain and form our thinking.
We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. – Romans 8:28 ESV
What has been your transformation of thinking and living since realizing that you will make mistakes, God will not condemn you, and he is involved for your best interests?
Has it always been this mindset? Or how was it and how did it change?
It is through the relationship with have with the Holy Trinity, God, Jesus and Holy Spirit that makes such a difference.
It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. – 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NLT
As we accept and grow in our relationship with the Trinity, we can reflect on how we are not who we were, but we have been changed (and still changing).
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. – Colossians 3:1-4 NLT
We can get our minds straight and then fully rely on God, life changes…
I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. – Philippians 1:6 NLT
Now with confidence in who were are in our walk with Christ and knowing that He is still involved in our lives it can bring us a confident hope.
For I fully expect and hope! that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die – Philippians 1;20 NLT
Like a shower of blessings from our father, this relationship becomes a reality. Like a generous dad that gives you the keys to a fabulous racecar, or the keys to your own home, it is out of love and support that the father says, “I believe in you, you’re loved and I am your greatest fan”. God has not just launched us into our next season of life unequipped or alone.
God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline – 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
But being equpped and empowered with purpose also comes with responsibility and an acute awareness of the truth we have been learning about. God is our father, He is our hope and ruler of our life. Our full desire is to love and please Him, and Him alone. With all the power and support He has provided, we can easily be tempted to believe it is all about us being happy and free in this world. That everything revolves around us. The truth is still clear in the Bible…
We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. – 1 John 5:18 NLT
Our security is in our relationship with the Trinity. Our security is defined and final. When the enemy, others or even ourselves begin to teardown our identity in Christ, we need to go back to these truths of who we are in Christ.
Explain how your security in the Trinity has changed, and how are they challenging you today?
In this coming week, starting today, engage with the Holy Spirit through all aspects of your life. See how he is right there with you, in victories and in the messy stuff, learn, grow, be encouraged that he has equipped you and anointed you as an heir in His family; live like it.
ESV: The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
MSG: Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary languageColorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
NLT: Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ro 8:28). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.