Faith concerning identity
Romans 8:28~39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (38~39)
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/ English Hymnal #559 All Year in Our Home the Spring Breezes Blow (#305 in previous version)
We are children of God who have paid our debt with the blood of Christ. Then nothing should be a problem for us, and everything has already been solved. What we need is faith. We have received Jesus Christ as our Savior through faith, yet what kind of faith do we need? It is the faith concerning our identity. Despite receiving salvation, we may face difficulties and problems, as well as poverty. However, the moment we accepted Jesus Christ we have become children of God and as a result, nothing can be a problem for us any longer. We must not lose hold of our faith concerning our identity.
1. Faith of the heart
Our identity is derived from the faith of believing in God’s power. God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (v. 28). In addition, God who did not spare His own son has graciously promised to give us everything (v. 32). No problem or situation can pull us away from the love of Jesus Christ. We must overcome all situations with the faith of the heart of believing in the promise of God.
2. Faith of application
Jesus promises that only when we receive the filling of the Holy Spirit, can we become witnesses to the ends of the earth. Although the Early Church was weak and lacking, they held on to this promise and prayed and it was fulfilled exactly according to the Word, and as a result, they became capable of world conquest. Then what must we do? We must pray with faith. As you wake up in the morning, you must hold on to the promise of being filled with the Holy Spirit the entire day and gaining the strength to save the entire world while praying with faith. Then, in the afternoon you must confirm the answers given by God, and in the evening, you need to record all the answers in the Prayer Journal. This is the faith of application.
3. Faith to challenge
If it is according to God’s plan, and God has permitted it, then we can do anything. Even if we face such difficulties and failures, nothing can become a problem for us. A church-like church, a church that saves the region, a church that saves the future generation, a church that reforms the culture and missions of the world: these are the rightful, necessary, and absolute things that a child of God must rise to the challenge for.
- Who am I? Who is God? Meditate, record, and pray for the faith concerning your identity.
New Believer Retreat Lecture 3 / 2010.11.16