But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
As reminder, the theme for our 40 days journey this year is Our Identity. Starting today we turn our attentions to the Disciplines, starting with Bible Study. Over the next three days, we will focus on the relationship between the Discipline of Bible Study and our identity.
There are so many forces in and around us fighting to define and determine our identity. Some, including marketers and politicians, spend billions of dollars in this pursuit. In this sea of influences stands the word of God. Do we trust it more than every other resource, even a psychological test?
Please reflect on the two Bible verses above. In the passage from 1 Samuel, we see the difference between us and God in assessing who people really are. “For the Lord sees not as man sees”. In the passage from Galatians, we see that believers are brought into a new “identity”. “It is no longer I who live”.
Something to think about:
How do the verses speak to you about the role Bible study should play in understanding our real identity?
February 19, 2018 at 5:04 am
Today reminds me that I must study the Word and apply the lessons learned to my life and situations that I face. My genuine study and application will speak to and help define my heart, and identity. I thank God for allowing me to be a new person, because and through Christ’s death and resurrection. Daily, I will try to allow Christ to live in me through my thoughts, behavior, actions and love for others.
February 19, 2018 at 6:16 am
As we study God’s word we are in a better position to understand our true identity. We see what God has to say about us and that He is concerned about our hearts. God knows the true us. As believers in Jesus Christ our true identity is found in Him because He now lives His life through us. Studying God’s word will help us to understand what it means to have the mind of Christ. God expects us to study His word to show ourselves approved as workmen who need not to be ashamed but rightly divide the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
February 19, 2018 at 8:02 am
Unlike the marketing companies and politicians, immersing in the Word of God requires intentionality on my part. The study of the Word and meditation on the Word is needed to shape and redefine my behaviors, beliefs and identity. It is far too easy for me to judge others through the lens of the world and forget that their identity, like mine is wrapped up in the Creator. Thank you for resources like this and this online community that directs me to the Word to refocus/realign my thoughts and actions.
February 19, 2018 at 10:08 am
I have heard and read the Bible verse, “…….it is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me…” many, many times. I think right now as I am asked to reflect on it, is the first time I’ve really, really put some deep thought into it.
If I should plaster that verse in my thoughts and refer to, and apply it before everything I do and say, the person I would be would be the person I’d be proud to be identified as. Think about it. If I’m having a lousy day, or someone has upset me, instead of allowing the “sinful-natured” me to respond or say something (in a not so nice way), if I’m reminded that my words and actions should reflect that Christ lives in me, I guarantee that I’d be a more Christ-like person that everyone, including myself, would notice.
I am going to make a conscious effort to remember this verse as I go throughout my day. I want to apply it and remind myself that as a child of God, “…it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”, and I should portray it and be identified as such.
March 9, 2018 at 4:44 am
I agree with you totally Joseth, these words are so powerful and should help us be Christ-like daily.
February 19, 2018 at 1:03 pm
I believe the Bible is the “real deal”. No other influence or resource should match what it provides to us. While it is always good to get feedback and critique from others, God is the ultimate assessor and we need to know what HE thinks. Being in Christ is the ultimate identification, anything else is less. The Bible makes this clear to us, to test what it says against all the competing forces.
February 19, 2018 at 2:06 pm
How much of a better person I can be if only I remember to react with the Christ in me.
February 21, 2018 at 5:34 pm
touche Yasmin. That we should all practice
February 19, 2018 at 8:43 pm
“man looks on the outward appearance”, “no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”, “the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God”. Hmmmmmm, my outward appearance, what man sees, is “this life I live in the flesh by faith in the Son of God”. My identity boils down to the out workings “the things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen” in the Son of God. I can learn details of the “the things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen” in the lives of the characters in the bible, especially those mentioned in the Faith Hall of Fame! What a life looks like when faith is lived out and not lived out and how faith it changes and transforms. Processing aloud!
February 19, 2018 at 9:42 pm
These great comments remind me again that in the matter of identity, the Bible is truly the indispensable manual.
February 19, 2018 at 10:16 pm
If i truly believe, it is not me who is alive, but is he who live in me, then to understand the nature of the person who lives in me, i must study the word of God.
February 21, 2018 at 11:35 pm
Our identity in Christ is far more than “what meets the eye.” People will judge us by what they think is important but God, through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ gives us a true identity when we put our faith in Him. The “old self” is crucified and our identity assumes a new and dynamic dimension in Christ.