ID
People like something they can be apart of. Something that they can associate their name with. They want to associate their name with something successful so that they feel successful. The need for association is very powerful because the need to feel significant is a natural drive in man.
This association is why people join Ducks Unlimited, Dallas Safari Club, USAT, Elks Club, Rotary Club, fraternities, sororities, etc. This is why people follow sports teams. This is also why people jump on the bandwagon of a winning team at the last minute!
It is about more than community, it is about identity. I live in my community but I identify myself with the people I associate with. Especially one person, Jesus.
The mechanism behind any organization or community is identity. The early disciples associated themselves with Jesus and then they became IDENTIFIED WITH HIM.
We see this when Peter denies being seen with Christ. In that moment He was literally being identified with Christ.
Think about it, Jesus is being tried and about to be put to death. Talk about a moment of truth with your faith. This man who claims to be the Son of God, and in whom you have placed your faith, has been arrested and is doing nothing about it. Where is His super power? Or at least those thoughts go through your mind.
I think of times where we are like Peter. When we shrink back because we don’t truly want to be identified with Christ. When it may cost us something. Sure, we have all done it at some point in our lives. Where being seen as with Jesus is uncool. Or at work where to stand for your faith could cost you your job. Or some places of the world where being identified with Jesus could mean death!
Who do you identify with?
When you meet God face to face one day were you with His Son… really? Or did you just claim to be with Him and not ever actually hang out with Him?
In Dallas the culture is so religious that the vast majority claim to be Christians but if in a “disciple line-up” would not be identified with Jesus at the scene. Why? Because they really aren’t with Him. They claim to have an association with Him yet they don’t obey Him.
“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.” – Titus 1:16
What ID’s a true believer is not only their time with Jesus but their actions. Sure we all make mistakes, and the germination process of a spiritual seed to full visible growth is a season between God and the person who has taken hold of it, but eventually there is visible identification with Jesus meaning fruit, and growth.
If you have been hanging out with Jesus you WILL be identified with Him just like Peter was.
Those that fake it on earth really aren’t doing themselves or anyone else any good. They aren’t faking God or His disciples. Their lifestyle choices speak for themselves. An unrepentant soul will bear unrepentant fruit. Although in the short run a believer will have a deviation from the path the Holy Spirit will lead them back to it. May take several years, or a good portion of a lifetime, but eventually every prodigal predestined for salvation returns home.
In the long run the Holy Spirit filled person WILL bear the fruit of the Spirit.
For the Dallas “Christian” who really would not be identified with Jesus this is a call to wake up. Religious church attendance doesn’t equal devotion to Christ. Devotion to Jesus is identifiable. If someone is truly hanging out with Jesus you can “ID” them just like Peter got “ID’d”.
So when you are hanging around a fire while Jesus is being tried would people “ID” you as being with Him? Are you really following Him?
Usually I get to the end here and give a certain catchy line. But rather I want to offer you a chance to really follow Christ. It is a clear call to action where the Holy Spirit knocks on your heart and says open up. The only person you are faking out is yourself.
Confess your sin, follow Him, and you will naturally be in repentance. Following Jesus is the opposite direction of sin. Ask the Holy Spirit to come into your heart, save you and change you in Jesus name.
Faith is not just a claim to believe something, it is actually believing it. And when you believe something you do it. Salvation is by grace, through such GENUINE faith.
What do you believe, really?
