Dear People who Keep Company with God,
Identity theft has become a major crime in the electronic age we now live in. The paper shredder has become a standard office item as it is not wise to put any type of personal information in the garbage nor can you afford to let anyone see your bank numbers at an ATM or card swipes at the check-out counter. While all of this is important to know, there is a greater thief attempting to steal your identity. It is the father of lies, Satan. I believe this is one of the greatest crimes that Satan has committed against the human race. Identity theft keeps many Christians entangled in sin, keeps you from your purpose and keeps you from living the victorious abundant life that Christ died that we might have.
Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit. Proverbs 25:28
In the ancient times, a city that was broken into and without walls had no clear identity, no clear boundaries and no way to protect itself. This is a picture of many believers. They do not have a true identity, nor do they have solid boundaries that will protect them. They lack the fruit of self-control as the Holy Spirit has not yet been allowed fuller access into the deeper parts of their heart and mind. This type of person constantly strives to fit in and be accepted. In my younger Christian years I so yearned to be accepted and loved in the church world. In the professional world that I worked in at that time I felt I was accepted and valued because I had an identity as an engineer. I took this type of mindset into the church and believed if I had certain gifts and anointing that I would be accepted and valued in the church. This is a great deception and I constantly suffered with feelings of inadequacy, rejection and never felt I truly fit in. I would point my finger at the church and the people when the real issue was in me, not them. I did not know my true identity and I was easy prey for the enemy’s deception.
In the natural a father’s role is to provide a safe, secure environment and the identity of the child. This is what the Heavenly Father desires to do for every person on this planet. As believers we “have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba ! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God Romans 8:15-16.The most profound spiritual experience I have yet had apart from being born again was when I fell into a trance and “Abba” came and set down beside me. In biblical times, “Abba” was a title not to be used by slaves to a master, but only by children to their father. That experience imparted a greater revelation that God is my Father and my basic identity; I am His little boy. This little child revelation enabled me to experience the kingdom of heaven more clearly than any teaching or study on how to be child like ever has or ever will.
This has also enabled me to get in tune with the Father’s heart and I am now on a journey of discovering more of my identity, legitimacy and birthright. I am more secure now than at any time in my entire life. As His little boy I feel I am now growing mentally, spiritually, emotionally and relationally. Something akin to Jesus’ experience; And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52.
As George McDonald the great Scottish revivalist said, “This is and has been the Father’s work from the beginning – to bring us into the home of His heart. This is our destiny.”
Many Blessings, BW