Identification Through Faith

When we describe ourselves, we often point to the outward, our skin color, hair, clothing style, hobbies, or upbringing. These are surface-level and superficial. But our true identity lies within our hearts. So, what truly fills our hearts?

Is it compassion, empathy, love, patience, humility, and forgiveness?
Or is it hatred, vulgarity, malice, impatience, pride, ego, or arrogance?

Perhaps the better question is:
How do we cultivate a heart full of compassion, empathy, love, patience, humility, and forgiveness?
Or even more importantly: How do we develop a heart filled with the fruits of the Spirit?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23

Letting Jesus Fully Reside in Our Hearts

If we allow Jesus into our hearts, fully and wholly, He will transform our wicked hearts into one overflowing with the fruits of the Spirit.

The problem is, we often let Him in partially. Or, even when we do welcome Him fully, we later take pieces of Him out to satisfy our fleshly desires. Over time, if we do this enough, we completely remove Jesus from our hearts and return to living for the world.

We must allow Jesus to take up permanent residence in our hearts.

But how do we keep Him there?

Obedience: The Key to Keeping Jesus in Our Hearts

The answer is obedience.

"And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." – 1 Samuel 15:22-23

Many of us think we are in God's will because we fast, give offerings, pay tribute, and worship. But without obedience, these acts are meaningless. We cannot replace obedience with sacrifice.

Often, we value the feelings of others above God's commands. We allow disobedience in our homes, families, and friendships because we fear upsetting others. In doing so, we make idols out of people's feelings, placing their approval above God’s truth.

Peacemakers, Not Peacekeepers

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." – Matthew 5:9

Notice that Scripture calls us peacemakers, not peacekeepers.
Keeping the peace at the cost of obedience is disobedience.

"Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience." – Ephesians 5:6

A person who believes in Jesus but refuses to obey His Word is no different from the devil, who also believes in God but does not obey Him.

Faith Without Works is Dead

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." – James 2:17

Faith is not just believing, it is proven through our actions. Abraham’s faith was made perfect through his obedience when he was willing to offer Isaac to God.

Faith is made perfect in obedience.
Obedience allows the fruit of the Spirit to grow in our lives, producing a desire to do good works.

Salvation Through Grace, Perfected in Obedience

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." – Ephesians 2:8

We are saved by grace through faith, but our faith is made perfect through obedience.
Through obedience, our faith is demonstrated, and by grace, we are saved.

Identification Through Faith

Our true identity as children of God is proven by the fruit we bear.

If we identify as children of God, our lives should reflect it, not just in words but in obedience to His Word.

Let’s not just say we have faith, let’s live it through obedience, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, and walking fully with Christ.

Love You All,

Bex