Identity

(Taken from Sis.Suzanne Parsons' message- 1/28/2015)

Luke 6: 43-45

43 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."

 In some ways the Church has lost its identity. It seems that we blend in more with the world than we are  separate from it. Years ago many in the Church held on to a strictness in outer appearance, for instance. They stood up against the world in their convictions. Yes, many became harsh and judgmental in this attitude but through the years, the Lord has shown many that it isn't in outward appearance that determines a holy life, but it is our life itself- our actions, speech, life-style- etc. But in doing this, many have just conformed to the world not only in dress but in conduct. Many just blend in with the world not making any difference in the lives around them. They have lost their identity and have been lost in the world's ways. They smooth everything over because they don't want to be offensive.  

The verses in Luke tell us that we are known by our fruits, by our actions. 2 Corinthians 5:17-23  "17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him"  When we become a Christian we become a brand new creation. We are not remodeled or re-done- but we are brand new!

We need to KNOW who we are and to STAND with the Lord! 2 Timothy 2:19 tells us that He knows who are HIS. He knows us!

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 tells us to not be unequally yoked. That doesn't mean that we don't associate with sinners, but it means that we don't become yoked with them- in covenant with them. We must stand for the Lord!

Colossians 2:11-15
"11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it."