Identity Crisis! Part 5

Good day. Today we are posting a new addition to the newsletter series Identity Crisis!, Part 5 written in 2024 by our dear brother, fellow steward and ambassador of the mystery of Christ, Larry Gazelka, Parts 1-4 were written in 2001. 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 2024.

​Identity Crisis!
V27 N3
Part 5
 
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. KJV
 
Matthew 10:32-33 Everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will acknowledge him before my Father who is in heaven, and whosoever will disown Me, I will disown before My Father who is in heaven. (Weymouth translation)
 
Twenty-three years ago, Father had me pen this four-part series on Identity Crisis. Today we are going to do part five, in order to present further evidence on why we are to be abiding in Him, both physically and spiritually through Christ Jesus.
 
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: KJV
 
Many claim to be Christian (one of His). However, will they be able to present ample evidence to be able to gain entrance into His kingdom? Could there be an identity crisis?
 
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 So from this moment on I do not estimate anybody by the standard of outward appearances. Although I once did estimate Christ by this standard, I do not do so any longer. For if anybody is in union with Christ, he is the work of a new creation; the old condition has passed away, a new condition has come. (Williams translation)
 
Note how one is to know no man after the flesh. Yet, for all of our natural life here on this earth, we have learned to identify each other after the lower nature, rather than to see if they are a member of the body of Christ. From the beginning of our walk with God, we were supposed to be young Christians seeking the truth. However, for the vast majority of people, they have listened to the exploits of Jesus of Nazareth and lack the fundamental insights of who Christ is. Could this present an identity crisis?
 
Have you ever wondered why we are called Christians, and not Jesusians? Romans tell us that He is the first born of many brethren (Romans 8:29). If you will recall that the Lord asked them to come and follow Him. One is to be striving toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). One’s ambition should be to bring to a conclusion the process of following Him and being a part of the new creation, the new birth right. Striving to maintain our relationship with Him and in Him. To be an heir with Him, and not having an identity crisis.
 
Colossians 1:15-18 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. KJV (Read to the end of the chapter.)
 
It is for one to recognize how and why Christ Jesus set the precedence for rising from the dead, and is the first born of all creation. Spiritually was Christ raised from the dead, and thus bring to life again Jesus of Nazareth, and the path for any to follow.
 
Philippians 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. KJV
 
For one to be risen from the dead, is to have one’s name scribed in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Many people desire to have their names listed with all of the different groups: denominations, associations, or any such group that says that they are the only way. What good would it be to be recognized by any or all of these different groups if your name is not scribed within the Book of Life? Could this present an identity crisis?
 
1Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; KJV
 
          He alone, Christ Jesus, is the way to Father’s house, established by the truth of His Word, which then allows one to escape an identity crisis.
 
Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. KJV
 
Are you risen with Him? Can you see why Paul guides us to where our identity should be affixed?
 
Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. KJV
 
Do you identify with the risen Lord Christ Jesus? Without Him, there will be an identity crisis!
 
 
That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ
Larry Gazelka
 
©Larry Gazelka 2024