Peter Chiarelli, a 4-star general and the second highest-ranking US Army officer, attended a Washington, DC, dinner last year. Valerie Jarrett, a presidential adviser, was seated at a table when Chiarelli passed behind her. Chiarelli’s uniform had a stripe down the side of the pants, almost identical to the wait staff’s uniform. Seeing only his striped pants, Valerie asked General Chiarelli for a beverage. Without skipping a beat, the general picked up Jarrett’s order and brought it to her. She was mortified at her mistake, but Chiarelli brushed the mishap off. He even invited her to join his family for dinner at his home.
Paul makes an astounding declaration about our true identity, announcing that we “have been raised to new life with Christ” (Colossians 3:1). All who have “died with Christ” have been made new by God (Colossians 2:20). Paul doesn’t say we might be raised to new life. Rather, He declares our union with Christ as an accomplished fact. We who were drowning in death are now filled to the brim with life.
This splendid existence describes who we truly are. This is the core truth about us. We might not fully recognize this reality. Others might miss the extent of all the newness and goodness God has placed within us. No matter, God sees what is true, and He calls us to live out this truth: “Set your sights on the realities of heaven” (Colossians 3:1).
The old life that clings to us will surely fall away. It’s a doomed relic of the era of death from which we’ve been rescued. Now “Christ . . . is [our] life,” and God promises that one day we “will share in all His glory” (Colossians 3:4). Make no mistake; our true identity is found in Jesus.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 12:28-37
More:
Read Galatians 2:20-21. What has died and what is new? What does this say about your true identity?
Next:
Why do you sometimes find it difficult to believe that God has put something new and beautiful in you? What might hinder this newness from emerging more fully in your life?
tom felten on September 5, 2013 at 8:25 am
Love the story, Winn. General Chiarelli showed some true humility! It’s interesting that the more we realize our true identity in Jesus, it leads to humble gratitude—not becoming puffed up and selfish. May we live out our identity in Jesus today!
ehdlive on September 5, 2013 at 11:10 am
It’s so astounding to think that out of the 7.2 billion peoples in the world, we were chosen, among the few, as citizens of heaven long before the creation of the world. We are not worthy but He did it anyway.. “We are so grateful, O LORD! We praise You and we honor You!!”
Wayne on September 5, 2013 at 1:34 pm
We need to live the way God sees us !
Tom Kopper on September 5, 2013 at 8:21 pm
And I hope that will be a means in which he can share Christ to her.
Tom Kopper on September 5, 2013 at 8:32 pm
Our, every person is infinitely valuable to Him, in two-fold.
First: He created ‘man in His own image’.
Second, He sent His only ‘begotten’ Son, to ‘reconcile’ man back to Him.
Sin make us unrighteous, not unworthy to Him.