Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 5: My Identity as a Child of God!”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
1027.
I just checked.
There are 1027 of you out there that call me “friend” and I call you “friend.”
Facebook “friends,” that is…
How many do you have? Is a Facebook or social media friend, really a friend?
It’s easy on Facebook when someone has a birthday to click the pre-typed “Happy Birthday message.” It’s easy to see a picture or post and click on the “Like” or “Love” icon.
In the brief second or less, you cared. You had a thought to respond to someone who is your “friend” with a comment or emoji.
When you get these responses, do you really feel “liked” or “loved”?
Perhaps.
But what if few or no one comments? It has the opposite effect. “Really? Out of 1027 people who call me “friend”, no one reacted or commented.”
That feels empty. And that’s just virtual “relationships.”
How much greater when a relationship which actually is personal lets you down.
It hurts because we all want to be loved. We want to know we are lovable.
When we aren’t, we can easily allow our mind to tell us a story that we are unlovable or unlikable. It comes out when we say, “No one loves me.” Or “No one likes me.” Inside we may be buying an identity that is a lie, “You are unlovable.”
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
The love of human beings may come and go. Never let that change the truth about your identity. You ARE a loved, child of God! How do I know? Jesus died for you.
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
God’s love for you is real and constant. We never need to question our identity as a loved, child of God. It is not based on our performance – we are good enough because Christ gave us perfection. It is not based on our intellect – we are smart enough because the Spirit gifted us. We are loved simply because the heart of God desired to love you and for you to experience his love.
How do I know this is real? You and I are written into God’s will as heirs!
Galatians 4:7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
You are an heir of heaven. Because of who you are – a redeemed, gifted child of God, you have a place in heaven for eternity. This is the fabulous fact that roots our identity not in outward circumstances, but in an inner reality.
Apply: What relationship in your life, if lost would you feel “I am not lovable?” How does life change when you find identity as a loved child of God? How does it free you to love others?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for lavishing on think your love for me. As I am secure in your love, help me to love others…even if they are challenged to love me back. Thank you for writing me into your will to inherit a place in heaven with you forever! AMEN.