True Definition
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. — Ephesians 1:3-10
Our culture loves to define and label people. These labels attempt to describe us in some way with the hope of ascribing worth. Sometimes they describe a belief or a role we play in this temporal life. For example, consider these labels: Parent. Child. Employee. Owner. Married. Divorced. Single. Widow. Democrat. Republican. Liberal. Conservative. White. Black. Rich. Poor. Each attempt to anchor us in the physical world by defining us in the here and now.
Yet, these labels do not adequately define a follower of Jesus Christ. This is because, in Christ, a spiritual identity is revealed. All former physical definitions no longer capture the totality of who we are. This is because we now have a new Father. We are citizens of a new Kingdom. We are subjects of one Lord and his name is Jesus. We now find all our definition in God alone, not in humanity.
If this is correct, then only what God says about us defines us. And in the verses we read today, Paul says we are, "blessed, chosen, holy, blameless, predestined, adopted, purposed, redeemed, and forgiven." So rid yourself of all other labels. Discover your true definition in Christ alone.
ASK THIS: What labels are holding you back from your true definition?
DO THIS: Leave the old labels behind by writing them in the comments section below. (Share it in the comments below.)
PRAY THIS: God, only you define me. Please give me the strength and mind to believe and accept this as I live out your life today. I leave the past behind!
PLAY THIS: In Christ Alone.
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Read through the Bible daily with Vince Miller.
This is very interesting 971864751
I’m looking for a speaker to speak to the men in my church. My church is in Michigan. I’m looking for in the early fall. I’m the men’s group leader of a small church of about 100 people. I’m looking to challenge the men to be the spiritual leaders of their homes, work place and communities. Would you have any recommendations?
You’re not a Failure, Mark!
Failure
Lord help me not to get caught up in too much political news of the day – it always fractures my relationships -even ones that I hold dear In Christ -I want to be humbly known as a Christ follower
Rex, right on 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼
Impatient, angry, mean. Lord help me to overcome.
“Unvaccinated “ 🤦♂️! It’s really something fellas!
Any of you ever get a angry the spirit? We gotta fight on our knees! The world is illusioned with smoke and mirrors!
Be blessed guys!
timid/lack of confidence
You are a confident bold man of God. 🔥🔥🔥
Alcoholic, jerk, selfish, narcissist, Pharisee, fake, sarcastic, mean, martyr, transactional, hypocritical, judgmental and a whole slew of other bad words which essentially mean the same thing. Thank you God for your grace and forgiveness.
You are none of these! 🔥 You are a man of God! 👊🏼
soldier, engineer….. so many more
You are a child of the highest God. 🥇🥇
Amen! I pray I walk in this truth with humility.
Failure
You are no longer a failure. You are his child and his success! ⚡️
Old labels:
Addict
Worrier
A$$ Hole
Lay them down. You are this man no longer. You are my brother. And a child of God! 🌟🌟🌟
Poor, broke, fat, lazy, distracted, unconfident, fearful
You laid it down. Leave those labels here. You are a forgiven Son of God.
Unskilled, unqualified, but i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
You have been and always will be qualified by HIM!
Handicapped, slow, unintelligent, rude, dim witted and dependent on his parents to navigate life
You are a dependent child of God, but no longer dependent on these old labels 🔥🔥🔥🔥.
You are a new man ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️.
Porn addict
Adulterer
Selfish
The new has come and the old is left here forever! 🔥
Put a note on your bathroom mirror stating all that Jesus says you ARE “His child”….. and speak them out loud over yourself every time you see yourself! 👊💪
Fearful
Loser
Sex addict
Leave it here Gary. This is not the way I see you. See yourself through the SON. Or just my eyes! You are a son of the most high God.
Old labels from my old nature: worry wart and people pleaser
Old Labels:
Divorced
Sex Addict
Loser
No longer! You are a new man!!!!
Alcoholic, drug addict.
Steve, you are only and forever a child of God. You are a new man! 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼
Malcontent
Cynical
Sarcastic
Ed, you are redeemed. Cast off these labels. May you forget them and drive them from your memory. Leave those labels right here on this wall.
Thanks Vince
These are good reminders… not only are we not defined by what others say, we are not defined by our history or even by our own self loathing but by the blood of Jesus we are blameless and righteous in gods eyes. Satan specializes in trying to get us to look back on what was and get stuck in frustration, guilt, regret, and fear
Quitter: Always stopping before the end of the race.
Lynn, today and forevermore. You are finished and a finisher. 🥇🥇🥇
Man. This was defined for me as a child, but one I have tough time letting go of. A tough guy. A fighter. A drinker. A worker. Also an addict.
Chris, I love ya man. You are a new creation. You are a great man. You are inspiriting to me. Leave the old behind the new has come!
Help me leave the labels of worthless, adulterer, cheat behind me so that I can live a life honoring God.
Leave it all here. You are a new man a child of God.
It is so hard. I give it to God but after days I pick it up again. I see the hurt I have caused and pick the labels back up. I guess I struggle to fully accept the gift of God’s Son.
Thank you for you ministry. I love your devos books and shirts
Brian, accept it you are loved by Him.
addict, liar, selfish, and worthless are all labels that have defined and anchored me to earth, and away from God, but through Christ’s death and resurrection, these sins and labels are forgiven and labels are no longer true because I was given a new body and new life, and now Christ lives in me, and NONE of those things are true about Him OR me.
SPOT ON Eddie.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥