In the finale of the Identity Series, Dan closes out by reminding us of how our Heavenly Father views us and shares the meaning behind Matthew 7:23 where Jesus says ‘I never knew you’. If you are struggling to find your Identity in Christ or know someone who is, please share this encouraging message with others.
If you missed ‘How God Sees You - Identity Series Part 3, you can listen here.
Matthew 7:21-23 NIV:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
“The fact that people are prophesying, driving out demons, and performing many miracles in Jesus' Name, but Jesus doesn't know them, scares me. It also implies that those miracles actually happened…”
Matthew 7:21-23 can be a frightening verse to read at first glance, if you are unsure of the meaning. So what does it mean? You are working outside of your God-given identity. That your eyes are on yourself and your gains, rather than on a relationship and intimacy with Jesus. It is out of our love for Him that our works flow, we are not working for love or for an identity. We need to know our identity in Him first.
“When we decide to focus on self versus God - God doesn't recognize us in that way. He created us in His image. When we stray from His image, when we alter our identity in Him, He's almost like... you're not who I remember… God knows you better than you know yourself. He DOES know. He knows how many hairs are on your head at any given moment (Luke 12:7). But what Jesus is saying here is He doesn't recognize you because it's just a shell or a costume that you're wearing.”
God knows everything, so yes, He does know you, but ensure that your foundation is built on your proper identity. An identity you haven’t added to or taken away from. You are a dearly loved Child of God, made in His image, belonging to Him, anything less is a false identity.
“…If we all start to identify in Christ and seek the Kingdom first, we will start to see what Heaven is like. Instead of causing division, we will be united in Christ. Instead of ‘finding ourselves’, we will know exactly who we are and where we fit in.”
Because of what was accomplished on the cross, we are seen as holy and blameless, pure and innocent. Christ stood before the Father as us, so we could stand before the Father in Christ’s righteousness. Imagine what our lives would look like if we believed this wholeheartedly, if we stepped into the truth of who we are and basked in our identity in Christ.
Verses to meditate on: Galatians 3:26-29 NIV26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Ask yourself this week: Look at your answer from the first episode of "What is your identity?" Has this changed? - If yes, what did it change to and why? (we would love to hear your feedback on this) - If no, and it's not "in Christ", why did this not change? - If no, and it is "in Christ", how does your identity reflect outwardly?
For more information and to check out our other episodes, visit us at holyspiritsoapbox.com.
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