Identity Shift

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 8:12-17

 

Romans 8:13

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

(ESV)

 

When driving to work this week, the topic of conversation on the Christian station I listen to was having people call in to share how they manage stress in their lives. Many callers shared finding comfort from stress through God’s Word, but one caller said they did not read the Bible. I found this alarming for I am among those finding comfort in the Word of God and prayed for this person. When one accepts Jesus as his or her Savior, they become part of the family of God (Romans 8:15). As part of God’s family we must communicate with our Heavenly Father like Christ did through the study of the Bible, God speaking to us, and prayer, us speaking to God (Mark 6:46; Matthew 14:23). Even though Jesus did not have the completed Canon of Scripture as we do, he had a hunger for the Word, even at a young age (Luke 2:41-52). The disciplines of study of the Bible, prayer, and regular Church attendance are crucial in the identity shift from one living according to the flesh to life in the Spirit.

 

The heading for Romans 8:12-17 in the English Standard Version (ESV) is “Heirs with Christ.” An heir is someone having a claim to the inheritance of someone who has passed away. When Jesus died on the cross, he gave us access to an inheritance of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16) and resurrected from the dead to enforce His will. However, to claim this inheritance, one must decide to quit living by the flesh and sin, leading to death (Romans 3:23, 6:23; 8:12-13), and living in the Spirit leading to life (Romans 8:13). Through acceptance of the will of God by the public profession of faith, one is adopted into the family of God (Romans 8:14-15). The Holy Spirit serves as a witness to one’s new identity as a child of God upon accepting Jesus as Savior (Romans 8:16). While it would be nice to believe accepting Jesus as Savior eliminates all struggle and suffering, we must realize that even the Son of God suffered with us sharing in His sufferings but also sharing in His glorification (Romans 8:17). Accepting Jesus as Savior does not guarantee a life without suffering but guarantees eternal life with Christ, free from condemnation (John 3:16-17).

 

An identity shift occurs when one accepts Jesus as his or her Savior. Before one’s profession of faith in Jesus as Savior (Romans 10:9-10), one lives in slavery to sin leading to death (Romans 8:12-13). However, after a profession of faith in Jesus as Savior, one receives the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9) and can put to death the deeds of the flesh and live (Romans 8:13). While one receives the Holy Spirit at salvation, the process of putting to death the deeds of the flesh and experiencing life in the Spirit is an ongoing renewing of the mind through the study of God’s Word and fellowship with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25; Philippians 4:8; Romans 12;1-2). This process is known as sanctification or the setting aside of a believer to find God’s purpose for his or her life and service to God. This is the purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, empowering one to serve God (Acts 1:8).

 

Unfortunately, Covid and the shutdown of Churches have led to many becoming comfortable with attending Church conveniently online, leading to them not returning to Church after they reopened, and losing fellowship with other believers. Others have a fear of being around others who may be sick. While serious health issues may require one limiting their exposure to disease, fear of being around other people is not mentally healthy (Genesis 2:18). Since God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7), fear of being around others without an underlying health precaution based upon one’s health history is unfounded. For those staying away from Church out of fear, I encourage them to be strong and courageous in the Lord (Joshua 1:9), going back to Church this week.

 

If you are reading this post and have never prayed to accept Jesus as your Savior, I encourage you to do so by praying with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I encourage everyone reading this post to continue working on their identity shift from a slave to sin to liberty in the Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 3:17). The challenge for each of us is the development of the disciplines of regular reading and study of God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers through regular Church attendance. I pray for God to challenge and bless everyone reading this post.