Identity Crisis! - Part 1

Good day. Today we are posting Part 1 of a four-part newsletter series Identity Crisis! written in 2001 by our dear brother, fellow steward and ambassador of the mystery of Christ, Larry Gazelka. Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this newsletter series. Have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. ***You can download a copy of the writings for personal use only by clicking on the Built Anew Ministries Archive page link above and scroll down to the year 2001.

Identity Crisis!
Part 1
v23n38
 
            In the last few newsletters, we have been talking about how the god of this world blinds the minds of those who fail to make it a priority of renewing their minds daily, as well as moment by moment within the Word of God. Thus, why it is so imperative that one follows the step-by-step instructions that God has made available to the believer with His Word. Failure to hear and obey these step-by-step instructions, will cause a person to have an identity crisis.
 
Ezekiel 34:12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. (KJV)
 
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (KJV)
 
            Who does one identify themselves with? The Word tells us clearly, that he that is not with Him is against Him. People identify themselves with sports and sports teams. They also identify themselves with all kinds of causes. Yet, how many will allow themselves to always be identified with, as well as follow the cause of Christ?
 
1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. (KJV)
 
            The people were mute. They could not but feel the logical force of Elijah's argument; but they were not prepared at once to act upon it. They wished to unite the worship of Yahweh with that of Baal-- to avoid breaking with the past and completely rejecting the old national worship, yet at the same time to have the enjoyment of the new rites, which were certainly sensuous, and probably impure. (From Barnes' Notes)
 
            [How long halt ye between two opinions?] Literally, "How long hop ye about upon two boughs?" This is a metaphor taken from birds hopping about from bough to bough, not knowing on which to settle. Perhaps the idea of limping through lameness should not be overlooked. They were halt, they could not walk uprightly; they dreaded Jehovah, and therefore could not totally abandon him; they feared the king and queen, and therefore thought they must embrace the religion of the state. Their conscience forbade them to do the former; their fear of man persuaded them to do the latter; but in neither were they heartily engaged; and at this juncture their minds seemed in equipoise (in balance), and they were waiting for a favourable opportunity to make their decision. Such an opportunity now, through the mercy of God, presented itself. (From Adam Clarke Commentary)
 
            [And Elijah came near unto all the people]. After gathering the people of Israel together, Elijah issued his challenge to them. How long halt ye between two opinions? (AV). Rather, [How long go ye hobbling between the two forks of the road?] Whichever translation one takes, the meaning is crystal clear. The issue was before them. A clear decision must be made. If Baal was to be god, Jehovah must be renounced. If Jehovah was to reign as God, Baal and all his worship must be forever abandoned. Many in Israel were probably tempted to compromise. Elijah, with whom no compromise was possible, saw clearly the radical character of the two issues and called for a definite decision. Such men always enjoy the blessings of God despite temporary unpopularity with the masses. (From Wycliffe Commentary)
 
            Two cannot walk together unless they are in agreement. Temporary blindness to the truth of God’s Word, will cause a person to have an identity crisis. This happens because a person is wavering between two opinions or causes. They then have the tendency to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine or such that comes along. This is why a person must learn to study the Word for God’s approval on a moment-by-moment basis. One must continue in the Word of God at all times, so that it becomes as natural of a process as it is for one to breathe. (One seldom has to think about breathing, and this is how natural the Word of God should be to all of us.) This is the way in which we are to grow up into Him in all things.
 
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (KJV)
 
            Our blessed Lord shows here the utter impossibility of loving the world and loving God at the same time; or, in other words, that a man of the world cannot be a truly religious character. He who gives his heart to the world robs God of it, and, in snatching at the shadow of earthly good, loses substantial and eternal blessedness. How dangerous is it to set our hearts upon riches, seeing it is so easy to make them our God! (From Adam Clarke Commentary)
 
If the eye, used here figuratively for one's spiritual understanding, be single (opposite of "twofold"), not afflicted with double vision in this matter of treasures —an affliction which is evil —then the individual can regard riches in their proper perspective. The impossibility of serving two masters in a slave relationship is a graphic illustration. Mammon. Though its derivation is uncertain, it appears to be an Aramaic word for wealth, here personified. Note that Jesus condemns not wealth but enslavement to wealth. (From Wycliffe Commentary)
 
The double minded man is unstable in all of his ways. Not because I say so, but this is what the Word of God plainly tells us. As long as a person is wavering between two opinions, they will have a crisis with whom they will identify. They will identify themselves with whomever they deem to be in power or in control. And yet the Word is clear to tell us which doctrine and cause that we as Christians are to follow.
 
2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (KJV)
 
He who passes over the sacred enclosure, or goes beyond the prescribed limits; and abideth not in the doctrine. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Compare the superior Greek reading: proagoon  (grk 4254).) In either case, it means that someone is not remaining within these holy limits, but indulges himself either in excesses of action or passion, hath not God for his Father, nor the love of God in his heart.
[Hath both the Father and the Son.] He who abideth in the doctrine of Christ, his body is a temple of the Holy Trinity, and he has communion with the Father as his Father, and with the Son as his Saviour and Redeemer. (From Adam Clarke Commentary)
 
            We are to hold God and His Word to be true, and every man that speaks against it (His Word) a liar. This can only happen when a person’s life and speech is in full agreement with God. There is no in-between or gray area involving salvation. We are either for or against God and His doctrine.
 
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (KJV)
 
Do you have an identity crisis this day? Who is it that you identify with?
 
 
That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ
 
 
Larry Gazelka
 
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