"Take a Step Today":
BELOVED, REDEEMED & A CHILD OF GOD
(4-2023) by Carol Scheitlin
It was no ordinary mug. It was a mug that brought me to tears. On it were written these words: “PRECIOUS”, “LOVED”, “A CHILD OF GOD”, “REDEEMED”, and “NOT ALONE” along with related Scripture references. It was a gift given, at the right time – a gift that God used to make a meaningful difference.
This is Carol Scheitlin of New Life Expressions. I’d like to take a look today at who God says we are as believers in Jesus - as believers in His finished work on the cross. And, as we realize who we are in Him, we will see how it can beautifully manifest in our daily lives.
The mug was given to me as a gift from a dear sister in the Lord. She made it and personalized it by also adding my name on the other side. It was given at a time when I needed that love, that extra touch from the Lord, that personal and compassionate reminder of God’s great grace.
Perhaps you remember a time in your life when you received a simple gift given from the heart of another, making a meaningful difference. It may not have been a mug, but it was something given at just the right time – some thing or some word shared, a meal provided, a text sent – something that reminded you that you are not alone – a reminder that God knows, He cares, and He is with you.
God in His grace often orchestrates details, moves hearts and personalizes circumstances to precisely fit our individual situations. In His sovereignty, He gives a gift of mercy in our lives – a special gift, be it tangible or spiritual – having profound significance. Personally prepared by Him, with your specific name on it. By acknowledging His Hand in the details, we see His goodness, grow more in love with Him, and give Him the glory.
Especially during this season of Passover & Resurrection Day, we are reminded of the GREATEST GIFT OF ALL - God’s precious gift and the sacrifice He gave for us. Through His work on the cross, our loving Messiah, Jesus, paid the penalty for all our sins. He shows us that we are indeed “PRECIOUS”, “LOVED”, “A CHILD OF GOD”, “REDEEMED", and "NOT ALONE".
We are made new – in Him!
YES, MADE NEW!
The Bible says: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 nkjv
Once we walked in darkness, but now, in Jesus, we walk in the light.
Think of the contrast between who we WERE and who we ARE now in Christ:
- Though formerly spiritually dead in sin, we are now alive and forgiven in Messiah Jesus.
- Though formerly lost and wandering, we are now redeemed by Jesus and can walk with purpose.
- Though formerly without hope, held captive and in bondage, we are now set free in Christ.
- Though we were formerly ruled by the flesh, we now can live in the power of the Holy Spirit Who gives us victory over the old desires that war against God’s beautiful design for us.
Like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, we are made new in Jesus. And our lives become a process of being molded and shaped by our loving Creator, Who is carefully and beautifully fashioning us to become more like Him.
Only through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection - His paying the penalty for our transgressions, His mercy and forgiveness - can we experience such a marvelous and miraculous transformation.
Forgiven and set free by Jesus’ atoning work on the cross, we can break out of the cocoons of bondage in our old lives, and be set free from any chains of sin that formerly held us captive.
God does a transforming spiritual work within us – a miraculous rebirth. We are made new in Him!
VICTORY OVER OUR SINFUL NATURE
“… God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, nkjv)
Yes, while we were still sinners, He died for us!!!
As believers in Jesus, it doesn’t mean that we are perfect and sinless. We are forgiven, and being forgiven. Until we get to glory with our new resurrected glorified bodies, we still can struggle with our sinful nature (since Adam and Eve - read the first chapters of Genesis). But the Holy Spirit Who now lives in us, gives us power over tendencies to do what is wrong and destructive.
As someone has said, ‘it’s not that we as believers are now sinless, it’s just that we sin less.’
Throughout our lives as believers, God draws us closer and closer to Him, deeper in our relationship with Him, and stronger in our desire to serve and glorify Him. We haven’t reached sinless perfection, but we are becoming more and more like Jesus Who is perfect, righteous and holy. It’s a process of sanctification.
We learn, we grow, and as redeemed believers, we find joy in doing what pleases Him, joy in following the good ways of our Beloved Savior.
THE PRAYER OF JESUS BEFORE HE WAS CRUCIFIED (read John 17)
What insights we can gain from reading God’s Word!
I love reading John chapter 17. It records the words Jesus spoke as He was praying - before He was betrayed and crucified. He speaks of His purpose, His mission. We learn of the thoughts He had before He willingly gave His life for us – as He prayed with compassion for others.
In John 17, Jesus also prayed for His disciples. And He prayed for all who would believe their message – that’s us!
Jesus prayed to God the Father and we learn here, in the following verses, about an awesome and deep bond of unity, one-ness, and love:
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me….
And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17: 20-23, 26 nkjv)
What a great love this is!
OUR IDENTITY IN HIM
HIS BELOVED CHILDREN:
What joy we have as beloved children of God!
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.” 1 John 3:1a niv
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12 nkjv
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26 kjv
REDEEMED FOR A PURPOSE
Who are we that God would pay such a great price to redeem our souls for all eternity?
Jesus paid the price in full on the cross, to rescue us from eternal separation from God, freeing us from judgement and the bondage and condemnation of sin.
“Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” 2 Timothy 1:9 esv
CHOSEN BY GOD TO BLESS OTHERS
Humbled by the fact that God would choose imperfect, and often wayward sheep such as ourselves, we can - in humility - share with others the amazing grace, love, and gift of salvation we have received.
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…” Colossians 3:12 esv
God forms us into His image, and He gives us His beauty, compassion and kindness that not only blesses our lives, but also, blesses others through our lives.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-9 niv
EXHORTATIONS & PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:
1 - Don’t give up sharing with others about the GREATEST GIFT OF ALL – salvation through Jesus.
Tell others about the transforming work God has done in your life, and the work He is doing in your life. Let your life be a testimony of His grace and goodness.
2 - Be filled with Him, dear ones, so you can, from day to day, reflect God's character, display His attributes, His care, His love for others – even in the simplest and most practical of ways – as simple as a mug, a Scripture, a life-giving word - given at just the right time.
3 - Make it a goal to daily bless and encourage someone else – being ready at all times to share the reason for the hope that is in you.
4 - Grow in your love for Him, and in your relationship with Him, Who calls you PRECIOUS, LOVED BY HIM, HIS CHILD, REDEEMED, and NEVER ALONE!
5 - And always give thanks - praise Him for Who HE is - and for all He has so graciously given for us - paying such a great price for our redemption.
Receive His great and perfect love today!
Thanks for visiting! Visit next time for a message entitled: "Breaking Through Barriers".
If your identity is not found in Jesus - If you don’t know Jesus, you can know Him! A few quick things to help you get started:
- Pick up the Holy Bible and start reading! (The Gospel of John in the New Testament is a great place to start!).
- Click HERE to find out about God’s FREE Gift of Salvation.
- Get connected to a solid church where the Bible is taught. Book by book, verse by verse teaching, is a great way to gain rich understanding!
- Turn from darkness and the bondage of sin, and trust Messiah Jesus to give you life and make you NEW in Him!
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 esv
Do you want to know about being saved and set free? If you want to understand more about God’s GIFT of salvation found in the Bible, BE SURE to check out “THE GIFT OF SALVATION” on this website. Click HERE for the link.
Burdened by weights in life that may be keeping you from moving forward? This can help - quick click here for: "CARRYING TOO MANY WEIGHTS FOR LIFE'S RACE? Here's Your Answer..."
Carol Scheitlin is director of New Life Expressions, writer, author, and blogger. She has served short term on various missions around the world, long term in engineering and manufacturing businesses, and for many years directed a worldwide outreach. She loves encouraging people to see Messiah Jesus throughout the Scriptures – and to know God’s awesome, perfect and sacrificial love. Only through HIM can we know this deep love, and have real hope, victory - and New Life!
Carol has written 12 books, being published over time. The first two books, "Let the House of Aaron Say", and "I Will Bless Those Who Bless You" are currently available on Amazon. Book #3 will soon be available in the upcoming months.
For more info, quick links to order books, check news, the latest resources and updates, click HERE for News & Updates.
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