Widow for a Season: Finding
Your Identity in Christ
Chapter Two: Bad News — Good News
Summary:
This
chapter is a simple presentation of the gospel message.
It is not intended to be long and theological in content.
This author will not assume that every reader is a believer and hope that
this book may be used as an evangelistic outreach for those whom the Lord may
lead to Himself. The entire premise of this book is found in the power of our
identity in Christ. Without that
surrender the truths in this book will possess no power for recovery.
This chapter will also examine the elements of our spiritual authority as
defined by scripture. I find in my
mentoring experience with widows that they do not have a working definition for
identity in Christ that can be practically applied to their daily life
circumstances. For the unbelieving
reader this chapter may mark the beginning of a walk of victory and freedom in
Christ.
Excerpt:
Chapter
Two - Bad News—Good News
Imagine going to the store to buy a lamp for your home or office. You
bring the lamp home and cannot wait to see how nicely it complements your
decor. You put in a new light bulb, eagerly plug in the lamp, and expect
to see a bright light. To your dismay, though, the light is not
forthcoming. You check the bulb to be sure it is not defective and it
seems to be okay. Finally, you conclude that there is no power in the
socket. Even though the lamp and bulb are in place and plugged into the
power source, nothing is going to happen until power comes through that
socket.
The
Source of Truth: God's Word
Think about this book as that lamp. It contains the truth that
can lead you to safety, courage, and victory in Christ. Without
surrendering and receiving Him as Lord and Savior of your life, however,
this truth will have no power for you. It will just be a book of worthless
knowledge.
A young family recently went through a great personal trial
with paralyzing anxiety. She had become totally imprisoned by her fear and
emotions. She was unable to leave her house or get into her car and was on
the verge of losing her job as well as her sanity. Yet she had grown up
hearing about God and knowing a lot about the Bible. She prayed every day
and tried with great effort to gain control of her life. She read God’s
Word but it was only a temporary help. She claimed that she believed in
God and loved Him, but she was unable to find victory. Until she learned
how to receive Jesus Christ by surrendering her will to His authority, she
could not find peace. Many others struggle with the same frustration of a
faith that seems to be dead in the water. I pray that this chapter will
help you discover Christ’s power and find victory for the rest of your
journey. Paul said in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel
of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Maybe
you thought you had received Christ
at some point in your past but are now unsure. Maybe, like my friend, you
are doing everything your faith has taught, but you are constantly
defeated in your effort to overcome your trials. Perhaps, for the first
time in your life you are ready to surrender your life to Christ but you
don’t know how. The Lord tells us, “In an acceptable time have I heard
thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee… behold, now is the
accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (Isaiah 49:8, 2 Corinthians
6:2).
The
Source of Salvation: Christ's Sacrifice
God has accomplished our salvation with the peace and power that
accompanies it through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Many people are
uncertain about their role in the salvation process. They mistakenly
assume that salvation is just believing that God exists. When asked about
their assurance of going to heaven when they die, few will say with
certainty that they are eternally secure. God, however, does not provide
weak and uncertain power. Further, that is not the kind of power that will
help us through trials and testing. Even
the New Testament Jews thought they had met the conditions for salvation,
but Paul revealed their true condition. “For I bear them record that
they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being
ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own
righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of
God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that
believeth” (Romans 10:1-4).
