Called and Chosen - Understanding Your Identity and Destiny in ChristShembull

Child of God Versus an Orphan

Therefore, since we know that we have a good God who can do the impossible because of the finished work of the cross, we can take leaps of faith and serve Him whole-heartedly, faithfully, and diligently as sons and not as orphans or hirelings.

The orphan heart.

An orphan or hireling is last in and first out. They do not care about their father’s business but only look out for themselves. The orphan heart is opportunity-driven. The orphan heart is not cast out. It is replaced by renewing the mind.

When you have understood your place and identity as a son, you will take on responsibilities with joy just as Jesus did. He laid down His life for His friends for the joy set before Him.

I have favor and access as a son so that I can empower others and call others into their divine destiny. I have access to unlimited resources in Christ, but I can sometimes live with a poverty mentality.

When we live in the awareness of the significance of God’s choosing of us, that He has invested into us when He put His Holy Spirit inside of us, we will carry ourselves differently and conduct ourselves differently.

There will be a shift from living a life to please me to living a life of service. Just like our servant King, Jesus, knowing the Father has placed everything beneath Him, He could serve with a towel and a basin.

I believe we need a change in our lens to see who we really are and what glorious riches we have access to, to make us more than conquerors, and to live as salt and light in a dying world that is waiting and longing for us to give them the answers.

Your background does not matter—whether you knew your earthly father or not, whether you were born with privilege or not. All that gets canceled in the cross, and a new book in your life is opened, and a new DNA has been given to you. Take hold of it because Christ has already taken a hold of you.

Rejoice and live in the truth that God has called you and chosen you and that it has given Him great pleasure to do so.

I pray that you will live in the good of your identity and fulfill your destiny in God.

REFLECT:

First, do you see yourself like a son, or do you behave as an orphan or a hireling?

Do you know who you are and that you are called and chosen by God? Are you living out of your new DNA?

You can do a related devotional by the author tilted The Continuum: Rooted, Built Up & Strengthened