Friday, April 27, 2007

What Does True identity look like?

What words does Paul use to describe our authentic identity? How do those words compare to what we hear from friends?

Paul uses the words flat and plain. As a Christian we should be humble like Jesus Christ. Even though his father made the whole universe and every single creation in it, he came to us willing to serve others. These days we don’t hear much about being humble, instead we are encouraged to stand out and shine anywhere we go. I’ve never had a friend tell me I need to be flat and plain, no, they would never say that. Instead they would encourage me to show the world what a strong girl I am and to be independent.

In what ways would you describe yourself as raised bread? In what ways would you describe yourself as flat bread?

Raised Bread: My everyday life….. I don’t look to God for a lot of answers or directions. I pretty much put all the ingredients together myself and then mix and it usually turns out as a disaster. When things seem to be going good, I don’t think I give God the appropriate credit or thanksgiving that he deserves.

Flat Bread: When I am immersed in the word daily and really spend time praying, I can see changes in my life and attitude. During these times my attitude changes from all about me to how I can help others. Throughout these periods I spend less time obsessing over my appearance on the outside and more time on getting my insides looking good.


What kind of yeast have you allowed into your own life?
Sexual sin, alcohol, obsessing over self appearance, worry and doubt, wasteful spending, not thything, bitterness, jealousy, gossip

What does it take to become the “flat bread” Paul describes? How can you do this? Do you even want to?

To become the flat bread you must die to yourself. It has to become a daily decision of whether you are going to let Christ live through you or are you going to live for yourself. It must be an all or none approach. God is not happy or excited about giving part of your heart to him. I believe I have fallen into this category for most of my life. I want to do what is right, but I still want to “have fun and have a life.” I have learned that I will do just about anything to make friends or have friends. Even if it means going back on promises that I made to God. My whole life can be summed up by Romans 7: 16-19:

The law is good, then. The trouble is not with the law but with me, because I am sold into slaver, with sin as my master. I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good. But I can’t help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things. I know that I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. I want to, but I can’t. When I want to do good, I don’t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. But if I am doing what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing it; the sin within me is doing it.

My goal for this study is to find my true identity in Christ. I’m so sick of only serving him half heartedly. God does not promise peace and joy, which is what I’m searching for, to those who only serve him with a piece of their heart. No, God wants my whole heart. He wants me to stop worrying about being alone and start trusting in him, communicating with him, praising him, and worshiping him. Through my life I’ve learned that every earthly person will let me down. I know from reading the bible and listening in church that God will always be there for me, but the question is will I be there for him. I’m going to have to admit that I have done little as far as fulfilling God’s service in my life. I want God to take control of my life because I have failed miserably on my own. I’m finally ready to completely surrender to him.

2 comments:

Josh Carpenter said...

Good blog missy!

Anonymous said...

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