Do you know that in science the energy of a rock is determined by its postion? A rock can be considered static with no potentional for energy or it can be considered to have a high potential for exerting energy that can create work, if you change its position. In my previous study we addressed Identity. Who we truly are in Christ and why the devil has to attack our identity. Our defensive and offensive strategy against the tactics of the devil were adopted from Christ and his retaliation in the wilderness.
Now I would like to address our ‘Postion‘ as believers in Christ. I am sure we can agree that elevated positions in life bring responsibility, expanded possibilities and power. When you give your life to Chirst your position changes from non-believer to believer in Christ. You transition from being just God’s creation to a Child of God. The bible lists a number of things that are associated with a change in your spiritual position for example:
- It says you are no longer spiritually dead but are now alive in Christ.
- You have moved from darkness to light.
- You’ve received everlasting life and your name is written in the book of life in heaven.
- Christ adorns you with his righteousness and covers you with his salvation no longer to be known as an unrighteous sinner, but forgiven.
- You now have direct access to God through Christ.
- You’ve become more than a conquerer and victory is yours through Christ Jesus.
I can go on and on with the things listed in the bible that happens when you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. It is key to remember in this transition that you are no longer worldly minded but Kingdom minded. Your worldly citizenship is cancelled, but your heavenly citizenship is approved. As a foreigner of this world you live in it, but are not from the planet earth. Okay okay some may say we are going into the Scifi/Matrix side of things (which I am a fan of Scifi shows), but how is this relevant? Well I believe understanding your position in Christ can be the deciding factor in your trajectroy or usefulness in the Kingdom of God. Knowing who you are in Christ and who you are to God, creates solid ground for you to stand on when deffending against attacks on your faith.
God loved you so much that he sent his only son to die for you, so that the salvation he paid for with his blood, can redeem and reconnect you to God through his Holy Spirit. Christ’s immense sacrifice was all for a perfect God to re-establish communion, relationship and connection with an imperfect creation. You can never claim you are not loved or valued, to anyone. Understanding this is crucial to a believer, because it is where the power to walk in faith is birthed. Right now there are two types of believers;
- The person who has faith enough to believe in Christ as Lord and Savior.
- Then there is the person who has faith enough to believe in Christ as Lord and Savior and walk in that faith, holding fast to his promises in the word of God.
If you believe in Christ then believing in the bible, the word of God should come naturally. Therefore as a Christian walking in faith on the belief that the word of God is true, is our next progressive step, but are we really doing that? Are we just declaring God’s word but refusing to back it up with the faith required to receive? I am not ascribing to some ‘Name It Claim It!!!’ type teaching. I am referring to speaking the word of God in faith based on our belief in who we are in Christ.
Risk assessment is a popular venture capitalist word that has worked its way into our culture. It stifles our ability or desire to walk in faith. We always need to assess risk before doing something even if it is Spirit led, as if we are the ones in control. When we chose Christ, we surrendered our will to him because he bought us with a price, his life for ours. No one knows God’s plan for them until it is revealed piece by piece. Therefore what good is a risk assessment if you don’t know the whole plan of God for your life? We don’t know the limits of God’s provision, protection, extent of his plans, tactics etc. so how are we to assess what is risky? We can assume a potential risk in a certain circumstances, but is there really a risk if God has already provided a solution, one that you are not yet aware exists? As children we are required to rely and trust in our parents for everything, the same mentality is required in our relationship with God. His words in the bible are our confidence that he is mitigating and eliminating all risks on our behalf. Read the following verse and let the truth of it minister to your soul and give you understanding.
Psalm 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2-I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”3-Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.4-He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.5-You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,6-nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.7-A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.8-You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.9-If you make the Most High your dwelling– even the LORD, who is my refuge–10-then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.11-For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;12-they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.13-You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.14-“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.15-He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.16-With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.
Again I can go on and on with the promises in the word of God for our protection and provision as his children. All put there for us to gain understanding that our position as his children is the key to setting us free to walk in faith and not fear. Check out this verse in the book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 10:9
19- Therefore, brothers,since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20- by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21- and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22- let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23- Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24- And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25- not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
As the apostle stated in Hebrews, there is no risk when trusting in God. He is faithful and keeps his promises. Why are we then still hesitant? Is it because we don’t know what’s next? What is God’s plan for us? Well in God’s own words, see for your self the plans that God has for us, because if the following verses don’t convince you I am not sure what will.
John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Romans 8:28
28-“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Are you getting the picture now? If we truly believe that our God is ‘Faithful’, ‘Just’, ‘Merciful’ and ‘Loving’, then where is the risk? It goes without saying that we should apply wisdom and discernment in every decision we make, but the wisdom and discernment is not drived from our own selfrighteous knowledge and understanding. It needs to be born from the wisdom and knowledge the word of God provides. God will honor your walk of faith in him.
Hebrews 11:6
6-“Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
How powerful is that scripture, the reassurance provided to us by God that our faith in him will be rewarded. Therefore be free believer, to follow the God given passion in your heart. Knowing your Father watches over you and will provide, protect and guide you on your journey. Just as he guided and protected the saints in the bible so will he do the same for you, because he is the same God yesterday today and forever. If we are God centered, what ever we do he will use it for his honor and glory. You don’t know his plan so stop trying to find it or figure it out and just start living. His plan for you will be revealed in the life you live for him and in him.
