For the love of Christ controls us. – 2 Corinthians 5:14
The television series CSI opens up with the theme song that asks, “Who Are You? I really wanna know.” The crime scene investigators of that program emphasize behavioral psychology and its application to criminal forensics. They have looked at crimes from New York to Las Vegas, Washington, D.C. to Miami, and even in the cyber world. The investigators consider the unlawful acts of criminals, their motives, means, opportunity, and the mental world they live in, asking that question, “Who are you?”
If you are a believer in and follower of Christ, the Bible has much to say about who you are. You have a new identity based on grace. You are a fellow citizen with the saints and part of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19), you are a child of God (1 John 3:1), God delights over you (Zephaniah 3:17), you are the very righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21), you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), you are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16), and many more identities have been bestowed upon you.
Seeing yourself as God sees you matters. You have been freed from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). As you rely on Him, you are being transformed into Christ-likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18). Have you embraced that as your goal? In The Discipline of Grace, Jeffrey Bridges states, “Jesus did not just act righteously. He loved righteousness” (Hebrews 1:9). Would someone investigating your life see “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27)? They will when you let the knowledge of your identity in Christ direct you each day. Pray for members of law enforcement across the nation, many of whom are operating under duress.
Today’s Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:14
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
