How do you 'identify'?

Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. (Romans 7:24-25)

It is hard to choose what we want most over what we want now, isn't it? The answer is in Jesus Christ - he has set us free. All determination or discipline in life begins with choosing how it is we 'identify'. If we identify as listening to our 'fleshly desires' just a bit too often, we are not likely to identify with our new nature in Christ Jesus as often as we should. Life isn't about behavior modification - it is about identity transformation. The power that is greater than our fleshly desires is resident within - we just need to begin to 'identify' with it more often!

We are not what we did. We are not the voice of discouragement that consistently condemns us, bringing us down. When we know who we are, we know what we need to do. We are more than a better version of ourselves. In fact, all things became new when we said 'yes' to Jesus. We are fully transformed, but do we live like we are? We belong to Jesus. He needs to become the source of our strength - the person with whom we identify most. The old man has passed away, the new one is beckoning to be set free!

We are no longer slave to our old desires. We can choose what we want most over what we want now. This is called discipline. When we walk by the Spirit who resides within, we will be less likely to give into the desires of our flesh. Our sinful nature will no longer be where we place our confidence or trust. The habitual action of faith - taking one right step after another - will bring 'disciplined transformation' within our lives. It is always a succession of steps in the right direction that brings about the 'spiritual habit' of right choices.

Those 'spiritual habits' are born out of our new identity in Christ Jesus. It might be hard to hear, but the greatest rewards in life are the ones that take the most time to develop. Where we 'come from' doesn't ever define who we are now. Remember, Christ's power within is greater than any struggle you have with your flesh. You might just need to 'identify' with your new 'identity' a little more! Just sayin!