For now on I really do have to remember to turn on my voice recorder when I am driving. I have always had peace when I am alone in my car driving, whether on my way to work, or running simple, mundane errands. I seem to be able to think clearer. I’m able to talk, not just to myself, but to the Lord about numerous different things. I am able to air out my grievances I have with people, and different things. I get to think out loud, an pray about what I’ve been reading, and studying, as well.
So I have been thinking a lot about Identity.
Identity with Christ, and IN Christ, has been the biggest thing on my mind over the last several months, as well as over the last few years, or so, especially since I suffered a stroke in March, 2022.
I do not identify with the stroke itself. I do, however, identify with the sufferings of Christ, and His wonderful Grace. I identify with the One who suffered, bled, died, and rose again for me!
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
I really can, because of the temporal nature of infirmities. After all we still live in broken down tents, which are decaying day by day, and moment by moment, due to the Adamic flesh we have.
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
When we understand our identity in Christ, we really do see how much greater the Lord is. Mankind, in general, has this notion that they are the greatest thing ever on the earth. I can only think back to Psalm 8:
O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! – Psalms 8:1-9
The vastness of who God, and the eternality of Him is so wonderfully amazing. We are but little tiny micro blips in comparison! We are yet on his radar because of this same eternality. You know, He is omnipresent, which means that He is not everywhere. That would be pantheism. He is not in everything. That would be panentheism. Everything is before him, laid out as an unfurled scroll. He sees the whole big picture. So, just think of the entire history of planet earth being rolled out in a scroll before Him. God knows the past, present and the future. Yes, he created the earth, but he did not create sin. That’s why, in his foreknowledge, He brought forth the Savior with the promise of redemption. From the garden in Genesis chapter 3, He gave the promise of redemption. He knew that even through it all, He would call a Nation. He knew that nation would reject him. And so the Savior came in spite of that rejection. And, He knew that He would also raise up an Apostle of the Gentiles. That was known before the foundation of the world. Think! Before the foundation of the world God knew all of these things. Then, imagine; Knowing that you would be rejected, and still show forth your love by sending your only-begotten Son. That’s amazing!
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: – Ephesians 1:4
Amazing love. How can it be?
And, Can It be -Lyrics by Charles Wesley
- And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
- Refrain:
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
- ’Tis myst’ry all: th’ Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more. - He left His Father’s throne above—
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me! - Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. - No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bob Picard, Pastor God’s Grace Bible Church, Millbury, Massachusetts
info@godsgracebc.org http://www.godsgracebc.org
SUPPLY OF GRACE 
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