Let’s Go! FCA DevotionalSample

Identity in Christ

Lalaine Crisostomo

Ready

”Then he said to the crowd, “ If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23

Set:

We can immediately distinguish the kind of athletes and coaches as we see them not just on but also off the court or the field and how they conduct themselves in public.  The priority of whether satisfying their human flesh or satisfying the spirit is what makes their identity. As believers of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is our mandate that we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. This means that we must deny ourselves with pleasures of this world which oftentimes the source of human satisfaction. But sometimes, it is difficult for a person to be detached from the world where he lives in.  Because denying one with the pleasures that most people are enjoying, is the cross that he needs to take if he wants to follow Jesus. 

We can see scenarios of such in how celebrations of victories were done, in the motives, attitude, priorities and goals of athletes, coaches and teams.  Winning teams would satisfy themselves with celebrations & rewards that are considered pleasures of this world.  Celebration in the form of alcohol, drugs and sex, and rewards in the form of wealth, fame & power, these are considered pleasures of the world that satisfy the flesh but grieves the spirit.

Go:

1. Please give examples of how you celebrate victory.

2. What is that something that you still hold on to that hinders you to surrender your life to Jesus and follow Him?

3. Are you willing to give up something or someone important for the sake of Christ?

Workout:

Romans 12: 1-2

2 Corinthians 4: 6-10

Overtime:

Lord Jesus, I ask that you take from me the cares of this world and replace in my heart the things that I desire to do with things you want me to do that I may be identified in you, AMEN.