Knowing who I am

When we were installed as territorial leaders in Eastern Europe territory in January 2018, I said the following in my sermon: “If I do not know who I am and why I am here, I am a danger for the mission of The Salvation Army!”

You cannot go into a spiritual battle without knowing who you are and why you are in the battle. That is why the Bible contains so much teaching about the identity in Christ and the mission we are called to be a part of.

This matter is Paul’s main focus in the letter to the Ephesians. He starts with describing our identity in Christ and continues to teach about what this means in practice for the mission. Finally, he writes about how this equips us for being able to stand in the spiritual battle. Watchman Nee has taken the essence of Ephesians and presented it as three important step in spiritual development. His book is “Sit, Walk, Stand!” and ‘sitting’ has all to do with the identity = our status in Christ:

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:6 (1)

Some years ago, a man who was possessed with evil came so close to me that his nose touched my nose. There had been no conversation between us, yet he swore and cursed me and said I was a man of the devil. Because I know who I am in Christ, I could calmly speak to the evil spirit and said: “You know who I am. You know that I am in Christ and that there is nothing you can do to me!” 

The man screamed and waved his arms so that my glasses were thrown to the pavement, and then the man ran off. I was unhurt and even my glasses were OK. It was not a pleasant experience, however, it was good to see that even though the evil spirits are ‘liars’ like their ‘father’ (2), they know what is true when you confront them with truth. When we know who we are in Christ, we can do what James encourages us to do: 

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7

‘Manna’ for today:

Jesus is the truth and he is stronger than the ‘father of lies’ (2)

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(1) If you read Eph 1:1-14, please notice how many times Paul writes “in Christ”, “in Him” ….
(2) When he (the devil) lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44

Four factors influencing movement

When I last week wrote about passion, I introduced the first of four factors of importance for my mission as a follower of Christ:

1) Passion
2) Personality 

3) Talents
4) Spiritual gifts

They are all part of my identity as a disciple. Today I want to share a few thoughts about personality. When I read how Jesus chose the twelve disciples who he should train for three years, I am so glad to discover how different personalities they had. I am also grateful to Luke for reminding us that

The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others.
Luk 8:1b-3

Like their male colleagues, the women were very different both with regard to personality, social background and status. Sometimes I meet people who have lost momentum because they say: 

“I am not like that!” 

They compare themselves with other Christians and think that their personality does not fit in. When we look at the first group of followers, we see that there were no status, gender or personality issues. An extrovert and impulsive Peter could easily walk alongside an introvert Thomas who needed time to check out more facts before he was ready to move. There was space close to Jesus for both of them - when Thomas moved, he moved in the right direction. Peter sometimes also moved in the wrong direction. All the same, realising he was on the wrong track, there was a way back to Jesus even for Peter. In close relationship with Jesus, our personalities will be refined and the beautiful nuances preserved.

‘Manna’ for today:

In Jesus there is room for everyone.

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New dimensions in my identity

Last week I wrote that the believers on the Day of Pentecost received a new identity. I am not walking away from this statement, but more precisely, I believe that they were restored in the original image of God, in which Adam and Eve were created. When they had their firstborn, he was born ‘in the image of Adam’ after the fall (1).

In the story about what happened in the ‘third move’, I read that after a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting:

“They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them”
Acts 2:3

It is very easy to focus on the fire in this story, and I believe that the fire is important. However, in an identity perspective, I believe the tongue, as in language, is equally crucial. I am not referring to the ‘physical act’ of speaking in tongues (2), but in the unique language of love that binds believers together across language-barriers and geographical borders.

When my identity in Christ includes this language, the momentum will never stop, because love moves me on. This ‘drive’ is not a duty but a response. I love because I am loved by an even greater love - God himself (3). Paul phrases it like this:

For Christ’s love compels us.
2 Cor 5:14

‘Manna’ for today:

When love is strong, I move in response!

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(1) When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. Genesis 5:3
(2) To speak in tongues, as in speaking an existing or angelic language, may come as a consequence; however, it is not a goal in itself. Personally I frequently speak in tongues when I pray. It is my spirit speaking with God’s Spirit in love.
(3) God is love. 1 John 4:8b

Who am I?

For Christmas I received a very good book. The author is from Sweden, and he writes profound books on Christian matters. For many years he has preached in conferences for people of all ages. He writes that he has prayed for people for many years. However, when he over the past ten years have asked people why they come forward to pray, an increasing number answer: 

Because I do not know who I am!

One of the results of the third move = the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, was that the believers received a new identity. All of a sudden they became aware of the fact that they were not only saved in Christ, but from now on the Spirit of Christ had also taken his dwelling in them. The believers had become the body of Christ. The bread of heaven was not any more limited to one bread. On the Day of Pentecost this bread was broken first into 120 and after a few hours into another 3000.

Paul captures this in a beautiful way:

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.1 Cor 12:12-14

When we are aware of this part of our identity, the breaking of the bread of heaven in our world will continue as we spread His identity as living sacraments throughout the world in 2018. As we continue to move in this way, God’s impulse, God’s momentum will be kept. There is more to our identity that will keep us moving – you can read about it the next blog.

‘Manna’ for today:

I move as Christ’s broken bread

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The ‘Identity-day’ - A time for everything *

Identity is very much about belonging. Knowing my identity provides a good life even in the difficult phases of life when we face war, resistance, illness and sorrow. Identity is about being at home in myself, at home in the community, at home in the nature and at home in God.

For me, Pentecost is primarily about discovering my identity as a child of God. The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples like a tongue of fire, like a language with a burning passion. In addition to sharing a common belief and confession, there was suddenly something more that identified the 120 who had been waiting for ten days for the Holy Spirit. It was a new incarnation. They were one body with a common burning language, the language of love. Without this language, Christianity would have ended up as another religion instead of as the life of Jesus in the world. The 120 were at home in God and the Spirit of God was at home in them.

The first church experienced what Christians in the coming generations have experienced, which is so well expressed by Paul:

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Romans 8:16

Therefore, Pentecost is both a goal and a start. Pentecost is where we come home, and from that home we go out, knowing that the home is always with us because the Holy Spirit is always with us. Of course, I have an identity in the world. I am Norwegian, I am a Salvationist, I have a physical family and I love the identity this gives me, but my most important identity is in Jesus Christ, and I received this in the miracle of Pentecost.

‘Manna’ for today:

Pentecost gives me identity

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(1) Today's illustration is also about identity, and we received the drawing as a gift a week ago. A cartoonist working at Salvattex redesign in Iasi is the master of the product. He had been informed about four interests individual interests Magna and I have. He then placed us and our interests in the picture people in this world have of Norway. In the background, you will find Norwegian mountains represented by the landmarks: Torghatten, Trolltunga and Nordkapp. You can also identify our interests - and four grandchildren, though their given gender is free imagination - like most of the other features - but cleverly done!

The important identity - a time for everything *

NORSK
Yesterday, I wrote about confident identity and confirmation. Identity is about who I am. When the identity is threatened, it is easy to get into a position of defence. The safer I am in my identity, the greater threats I can handle.

The question of identity is complex because we often have many roles. For example, I'm happy to be Norwegian, but that does not mean that it is better than having a different nationality. I'm glad to be a man, but that does not mean it's better than being a woman.

In Christ, we are 'one' (2), and the amazing thing is that this “identity of unity” does not wipe out diversity. On the contrary. Because we are united in Christ there is an acceptance of differences and diversity.

In the dialogue with the disciples before the crucifixion, Jesus was clear on his own identity and that he was confident with regard to the suffering that he soon should face. The same confidence can be mine when I have my identity in him:

“Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16: 32b-33

‘Manna’ for today

Identity in Christ gives peace at heart

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(1) One family, with Norwegian identity and a Danish citizen in the middle. Congratulations, it was a great confirmation, Adam!
(2) Gal 3:28 
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the ime between Easter and Pentecost

Confident identity - a time for everything *

NORSK
Today, I feel very fortunate to be able to participate in a "Confirmation". It is our oldest grandson, Adam, who will be confirmed as loved by God and of us who appreciate him and love him as the good boy he has been and the great man he has become.

It is important for every individual to be confident in his identity. I believe that Jesus’s confidence in his identity made it possible for him was fulfill the mission he had come to accomplish. In the passage I have been studying in the past week, Jesus says:

“I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
John 16:28

He had just told the disciples that “the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God”. Through their faith in him, they had helped to confirm him. At the same time, Jesus knew that they would ‘be scattered, each to his own home and leave me all alone’ (2). They would therefore fail in the crucial moment.

• We seek confirmation from people around us, but people will not always be there for us.
• We seek confirmation in what we do, but we will not always be able to do what we want.
• We seek confirmation in what we have, but what we have can never confirm us as human beings.

Therefore, it becomes so important where I have my identity, and I want to have my identity in Christ. That is my greatest wish for Adam as well. Of course, I hope that he receives material gifts and provisions for what he needs every day; opportunities to be affirmed through exciting and challenging jobs; and not the least, that he will continue to be confirmed by people who love him. However, the only affirmation that comes with a durability guarantee is the confirmation in Christ.

‘Manna’ for today:

Where do I have my identity?

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(1) Adam, you came as a blessing, have been a blessing and are a blessing. We pray God's continued blessings upon your life!

(2) John 16:32
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the ime between Easter and Pentecost  

Identity-building

NORSK
In the Salvation Army, we have lately focused on defining our DNA. I have lectured on the subject in many seminars over the last six-seven years. To reach out with our mission, we need to know who we are. It is about identity-building. 

The most important part of a Salvationist’s DNA, is the identity of being a disciple of Jesus. The Salvation Army part is mainly about the identification with our mission. I find it very interesting that Paul defines the third role he holds as a steward of the gospel, as the role of the “Teacher” (1).

THE MENTOR WAS A TEACHER OF THE GOSPEL
The Teacher-approach is about identity-building. Luke reveals how important this is when he summarises what united the first Christians and built their identity:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42

Yesterday I wrote that the role of the apostle gave authority to the role of the teacher. That is because one, whose aim is to build identity, must know whom he represents and know him. Further he must know that he is sent out. When the idea of representation (commissioning) and sending has become part of the “spine”, the true identity is in place, and the teaching he presents becomes trustworthy because it is seen as a part of the mentor’s life. Therefore, he also becomes an identity-builder.

‘Manna’ for today:

To build identity in others, I need to have it myself!

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(1) And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
2 Tim 1:11