To get your attention, some people will beckon to you or ‘shhhh’ you because obviously they do not know your name or your status. Sometimes though, people are quick to size you up because of the way you carry yourself. Your looks, your pace, your speech and your attire will either betray or establish who you truly are.
Christians have an identity. The Bible teaches that because we have received Jesus, we are the children of God. “Yet to all who received him (Jesus), to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12) In the Old Testament days, believers were known as the people of the Way – that is, people who were following the way of the Lord. They pointed to the ways of God, the way everyone should walk in. It was equally known as the true way, meaning there were other alternative ways that were false in nature.
When Joshua and his team visited Jericho on a reconnaissance trip they met with Rahab, a prostitute who was ready to give a helping hand. She could not help commending the people of the Way. “We have heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you destroyed completely. When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:10-11) Rahab was giving all the credit due to Yahweh, the Lord God Almighty – the Lord of the people of the Way. She was acknowledging His all-compassing power.
Many Christians do not know who their God is and what He is able to accomplish therefore, they can consider consulting false gods, charlatans, witchdoctors, spirits and false gods – who are blind, deaf, dumb and lame. (Psalm 115:2-8) They have such ‘little faith’ that our Lord Jesus rebuked them of often. Faith is the act of believing without doubting what the word of God says about us and what has been reserved for us as Children of God. Simply put, it is the act of believing that God sent His Son to die a disgraceful death on the cross of Calvary for our redemption (to be bought back) and our salvation (be saved from sin and death).
If only we knew what we have been blessed with, we would have a different outlook to life. This will mean that we will carry ourselves in keeping with the identity we have been given. The first step is to get to know that we are the Children of promise and then begin to walk as one. A prince, who is next in line to the throne, is taught from an early age to know who he is, how to carry himself; is taught princely manners and speech because at his level, his conduct has to be aligned to the office he will hold one day. He has to distinguish himself and not behave like ordinary folks. As children of the promise, we are entitled to manifold blessings that come to us automatically. There are certain benefits that come with it – and we do not have to struggle for it. Thus our identity plays a significant role in shaping our future.
God has given us authority over the devil and the circumstances that surround us; fear should no longer govern our moves: “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20) “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...” (Matthew 28:18)
Any uniformed law enforcement agent has authority to stop, arrest or challenge us not because of his personality per se but because he is a true representative of the state that has given him that authority. Authority has equally been given to us to dominate this world, to change the circumstances around us as true representatives of our Lord. All authority (and not some) has been given to us to act in his stead. That is how powerful we are. What have we done with that power and authority?
We are scared stiff of Satan and the wicked. We are afraid of our enemies. The Bible repeatedly encourages us not to fear because the enemy is already a defeated foe. Look at what David said to the giant Goliath: “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26)
We should take a leaf from David’s courage and step out.
