Your Identity in Christ
John 8:31-32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Pondering Point
Not everybody believed in Jesus as Lord back then – and not everyone believes that today; but to those who do believe and follow Him, these words still ring true: "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jesus tells us to count the cost in being a disciple (Luke 14:25-34). He also reveals the benefits of following Him: true freedom and abundant life (John 10:10). Join me in acknowledging your identity in Christ:
• I am a disciple of Jesus; I know the truth and I have been set free.
Luke 14:25-34
The Cost of Being a Disciple
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Prayer Prompt
Describe your idea of following Jesus to God – maybe write it down. Now ask Father, Son, Spirit to bring to mind their perspective on your being a disciple. Share your insights with someone you trust spiritually.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 146:1-6
- Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord, my soul. - I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. - Do not put your trust in princes,
in human beings, who cannot save. - When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing. - Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God. - He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Promise
Jeremiah 17:5-6a
Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes.
Pondering Point
Which people of influence ("princes") do you hope will resolve your problems or handle your issues?
How does God fit in?
Where do you turn in uncertain times?