Are you familiar with the saying "the old me is dead and gone"? Have you ever reflected on your past and said "I'm so glad that girl or boy doesn't live here anymore"? Have you ever been at a place in your life where you were able to acknowledge and accept that you had grown into a different or "new" version of yourself? How did that moment make you feel? Were you happy? Proud? Accomplished? Satisfied?
Yesterday after our church's corporate prayer call, I was prompted to read Galatians 2:20 TPT. It reads, "my old identity has been crucified with Christ and no longer lives. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed one lives his life through me - we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, dispensing his life into mine!"
As I sat with this word, I had a chance to examine what "the old me is dead and gone" really means. Prior to studying Galatians 2:20, I looked at the statement as a success declaration. To me, it meant I had leveled up in what we perceive as societal success when really it's much deeper than that.
Reality is, dying to ourselves is to live for Christ and the Kingdom of God. What good is it to become this new version of yourself only to fall short in living Holy and fully for our Heavenly Father?
In this text, we are taught that we lay down our identity for the purpose of uniting fully with our Heavenly Father. Dying to our old selves simply means to live for Christ and with Christ by faith. This week my beloved, I challenge you to die to your old self daily. Make the decision to live for God. Forgetting your past, forgiving yourself of your faults and choosing Christ's identity that freely belongs to us. Don't live for selfish ambition, happiness, or societal success. Instead, ignite the Holy Spirit which lives in us, live by faith and identify yourself completely with him.
Enjoy this sweet melody this week and allow it to minister to your spirit.
James Fortune & FIYA x Identity
...my own desires get in the way. I should be finding my purpose in you...
XOXOXO,
Rhonda Nikole
Comments