Two-Identity Tension
In Dr. Paul Tripp’s final chapel talk today (Feb 20) he asked the question, “What is it that God calls you to in your relationships?”
We looked together at 1 Peter 1:3-9. Working from the bottom up (using “inverted logic”), he showed us that it is possible for Christians to be blinded to their identities (vs 9). When we are blinded, we become ineffective and unproductive. It’s about understanding our dual identity. When we forget who we are, we will stop living in the way God has called us to live.
What two identities are we holding in balance?
- We need to hold our identity as a sinner. Although the power of sin has been broken, its presence remains, and we need to be alert to this fact and recognize that moment by moment, we need God’s grace. Otherwise we fall into false righteousness and take that with us into our relationships.
- We need to hold our identity as a child of God’s grace, as recipients of the gift of the grace of God who has given us everything we need for life and godliness. This is the encouragement that we take into relationships–that God gives us the grace to be in them and is using them for his glory and for our sanctification.
We see this again in Hebrews 10:19-31. Verses 19-23 is a clear call to live with confidence based on the gift of grace in Christ. Verses 26-31 is one of the Scripture’s most serious calls to be serious about sin. Then, in between those two identities, in verses 24-25, we are called to community. We are not meant to do Christianity on our own, but in “intentionally-intrusive, Christ-centered, grace-based, redemptive community.”
As you think through your relationships and your community life, ponder the following:
1. How would your relationships change if you truly believed that they are owned by your Saviour?
2. What are the dangers of holding either of the above identity to the exclusion of the other?
3. Are you willing to allow others to intrude into your Christianity? What areas of your life do you try to keep others out of?
Published on 20 Feb 2008 by Christiana Fitzpatrick at 5:37 pm.
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