A New Identity!
Genesis 17:5
“No longer will you be called Abram. Your name will be Abraham, for I have made you the father of many nations.”
Abram to Abraham
Sarai to Sarah
Jacob to Israel
Hoshea to Joshua
Saul to Paul
Simon to Peter
We are all known by our names. Our names help define us and give us our identity. God changes the name of quite a few people in the Bible. These name changes occur during moments of pivotal life altering experiences and encounters with God. Why does God change these people’s names?
Identity! Your identity is soooo important. Your identity is how you see yourself and how others see you. Here’s what’s cool about our God. He has the power and authority to CHANGE our very identity! Maybe we’ve done terrible things. Maybe we’ve sinned and we see ourselves as unlovable and unworthy of God’s love. Guilt adds a crushing weight to our souls. And then, God steps in and says... “That is not who you are!” We are no longer slave to guilt and fear and sin. When we accept God, we are a new creation! The old has gone, and the new has come. God is doing a new thing in us! We have a new God given identity! So what is our identity?
YOU ARE… Loved, cherished, beautiful, worthy, adored, strong, courageous, intelligent, righteous, good, faithful and above all else... you are a Child Of God! So to quote... “REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE!”
Remember that you have been given a new identity. And you are no longer defined by your sin and mistakes. You are known by a new name. And that name is, “Child of God!” So embrace this new God given identity and live life in freedom with an abundance of joy and peace. Because you know who you are. Even when others try to remind you of your past sins and failures, remember to tell yourself, that is not who I am! I AM A CHILD OF GOD! And my God is faithful and loving to His righteous children. That’s my God!!!!
Pastor Max Campfield