Beyond the Weekend

December 21 | Identity

December 21, 2018

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

… God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Galatians 4:4-5

Read: Galatians 4:4-6

Listen: Galatians 4

TODAY’S MESSAGE

During the time of Jesus, Gentile culture was cruel toward unwanted children. Undesirable babies were thrown on the garbage heap to die of exposure, or dumped at the marketplace to be rescued for sale to the highest bidder. Rescuers would raise the baby to sell later. This was the origin of many slaves who became Jesus followers.

People in this “abandonment culture” understood the language of adoption used by the Apostle Paul in his letters. He describes God as our rescuer who is pleased to buy us back—even paying his own Son’s blood to redeem us (Ephesians 1:4-5). Pastor Jeff Manion says, “God picked you out, he picked you up, he brought you home.” Our rescue has nothing to do with accomplishments, behavior, beauty nor intelligence. It has everything to do with God’s overwhelming love to buy us back at Jesus’ expense—adopting us into his eternal family and sharing Jesus’ inheritance with us.

As a believer in Christ, your identity is exclusively and beautifully defined by God, and nothing else. It’s good to remember your true identity this time of year when a lot of comparisons about who got what, and who has the most, are floating around.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Don’t let the “false identity Grinch” sap the joy out of your Christmas. Remember God rescued you, and what you mean to him. End today’s journal responses with the words, “This is ____________, the one you dearly love and rescued.” Then find your identity and enjoy the song “You Say” sung by Lauren Daigle.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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