Wednesday
September 7, 2021

Your Identity in Christ

• In Christ, I am a disciple who is willing to waive my personal rights if I’m a stumbling block to others.

"Be careful", Paul writes, "that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak." This quote from 1 Corinthians 8:9 and the identity statement above set the stage for tomorrow’s Re-Centering Around God.

Waiving personal rights is not an easy ask, but a bigger question is this: Are you willing to honor God with your life? Are you following Jesus as a disciple or are you merely a fan who still runs your own life?

Jesus gave up all kinds of rights – and not just human ones. He gave up God rights, as Philippians 2:6 says, He – "being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing" – for our sake. As disciples, we don’t just TAKE SIN seriously; we take JESUS seriously, letting our attitude be the same as His (Philippians 2:5).

Philippians 2:5-8

  1. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
  2. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
  3. rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
  4. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
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Prayer 

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for giving up Your rights so that I might experience grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation with my Heavenly Father. As I follow You, living out my discipleship in faith and action, let me echo that willingness to waive my rights for the benefit of others. Amen.

Micro-Meditation Scripture

Psalm 119:161-168 (Shin, 21st letter)

  1. Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.
  2. I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.
  3. I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.
  4. Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
  5. Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
  6. I wait for your salvation, LORD, and I follow your commands.
  7. I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
  8. I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.

Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God

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Colossians 3:12

As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

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Matthew 21:22

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point

What does the Psalm’s line "seven times a day I praise you" (Psalm 119:164) stir within you? Skepticism? Legalism? Envy? Admiration?

Does it spark possibilities? A challenge?