IN CHRIST

Today I've started listening to a sermon series about my identity and just who exactly I am. There are a few things that really threw itself out at me that I don't think I've fully understood yet, but hope to. Soon I'll be making this blog comment-able for any kind of feedback you have for me. Edifying encouraged.

Who are the two most important people in history? What is your answer?
This can explain a lot about a person's perspective on life. The first, most common and most correct answer is Jesus. So that's one.

1. Jesus

But who is the second? Some would say God. Others would say Lincoln. Some would even go as far as saying themselves. My answer was: "I honestly don't know..."

2. Adam

The two names are the first and last ''Adam'' and revolves around the idea on where we belong under these two categories. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 tells us: "For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive." We are born into the ''Adam'' category and need to be reborn spiritually in Christ.

Did you know that Paul writes about being ''In Christ'' no less than 216 times?
Did you know that the bible refers us to us as a Christian 3 times ?

This is such a huge difference! It really puts our minds to work and reconsider how we look at our own identity. Religion by today's definition is a set of beliefs that one or many follow. A lot of definitions according to google use the word ''Superhuman'' and I think that's not what I am at all.

Christian soulds like ''like Christ'' as if we're supposed to be as great as Jesus is. When it's really not about us at all. It's about Christ through us, or us ''In Christ''.  But it's difficult to explain all this to someone who seeks out arguments and likes to belittle and debate against those who follow Jesus. Even to someone who is neutral on the subject.. to explain all this could be overwelming. I know I was overwelmed about what to title myself and how to explain my relationship with Jesus for so long that I avoided the subject entirely for a long while. To be completely honest, that's half the reason why I'm going through this identity sermon series.

I've recently had some situations I put myself in where I would later question my identity. I would say to myself, "Who am I?" and I really didn't have an answer for myself. I was doing things that was out of the normal for me to do. Losing myself in a darker part of the world that others would question a ''Christian'' being. For years I would tell myself and others it's simply a mask to fit in because I wasn't a good debator on Christian related beliefs and how I know them to be true. It's only until about a day ago did I realize that these masks are lies.. that they aren't masks, it's me. It's my flesh in all its sinful nature coming about to take over when during and after situations I would often question myself why I would let it happen.

My flesh wants to be accepted in this world. This is straight from satan. Remember what he said to Adam and Eve? He told them about how they would be like God as if what he gave them wasn't enough. When God made them in the image and likeness of Himself already, satan plays deceit in a way that sounds ramfication-free.

I, Jeremy Reynolds, am a fool to believe this lie. But Philippians 1:6 tells me "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Which someone reminded me today at church. This reminder really helped me.

I am saved.
I am new.
I am adopted.
I am loved.
I am forgiven.
I am reconciled.
I am blessed.
I am gifted.
I am heard.
I am appreciated.
I am in Christ.

Next time I will go over what it means to be in Christ. Tomorrow I will spend the evening with a special brother of mine whom I love and respect more than most. I hope then he will help me repent and cry out to God for forgiveness.

For the longest time I was afraid to go to church due to my inconsistancy and how I was ashamed of falling so much. But now I realize that this is my walk with Jesus. There's no such thing as getting to a perfect spot and staying the same for the rest of my life. Being ''In Christ'' (As my new title) is an eternal walk with Him that will teach me new life lessons as I go. It's not being saved, fixing myself, then going to church for the rest of my life and hopefully go to heaven afterwards. The ''fixing'' never stops until we are perfected in the day Jesus Christ returns. ...and even then there will be an eternity of learning about God as we delight in His presence and glorify God.

I'm getting carried away.. but my point is I don't like other people seeing me while I'm down. To those that even read this, know that I am truly sorry for not being a great example of a godly man. But once again as Philippians 1:6 reminds me that I am not finished... I pray to at least have my heart on Jesus until then.