“If we don’t understand who God is and what He has done, we begin to look for security in all the wrong places and pain is multiplied in our lives. God wants us to avoid all of that frustration and futility.”- Chip Ingram
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”- Romans 8:28-29 (NIV)
In Chapter 6 (“You Are Secure”) of Discover Your True Self, Chip Ingram wryly makes this observation about pastors. That often those who preach and teach about a subject do so better than they actually believe it. But Chip’s not talking about hypocrisy here. Instead, Chip refers to truths we convince ourselves we believe. Until circumstances require that we actually believe those truths.
Therefore, we need to envelop ourselves in the security of Christ. Because the security God provides prevents any person or circumstances from disrupting us. Hence, since God treasures us so much, He never holds us loosely. As the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:38-39, nothing separates us from the love of God. Above all, Chip exhorts, as you begin to see yourself through God’s eyes, you see yourself in entirely new ways.
Consequently, as someone spiritually reborn through the power of the Holy Spirit, you learn to thinks as a new creation. As a result, remind yourself often of who you are in Christ. And retrain your thoughts to adhere to God’s truth.
Yet, Pastor Ingram acknowledges:
“None of us are walking in our new nature as fully as we could. But we need to realize the power that is available to us. We are new people because the risen Jesus lives in us. We live from another realm and carry a new nature. . . . begin to think about ways to enjoy His company, to hear His voice in Scripture, to experience His presence and receive His wisdom and counsel, and to walk in His ways.”
Today’s question: When have you looked for security in all the wrong places? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “A joint venture – transformation”
