What defines You? Is it your inheritance in Christ?

Part 2 of 4 posts

Part 1 Click here for the introduction of how mononucleosis began in me a new journey of greater awareness of my identity in Christ.

Part 3: this post helps us see how Lydia in the book of Acts began her journey of knowing her value in Christ.

Part 4: this final post gives a full examination from Ephesians 1 of your inheritance in Christ.

In my last post, I began sharing how God used mononucleosis to pull me back again to understand that I am defined by my inheritance in Christ, not my accomplishments, the accolades I receive, my busyness, or earthly values. Those all fail in some way at some time. The best way I can believe God loves me is by rehearsing who God says I am in His eyes!

Of course, I don’t always remember this. I often still regard certain other things as the source of my value and significance. For example, I’ve always considered myself in good shape. But yesterday I went to a workout class. Yikes! I realized that what I was already doing for my exercises wasn’t benefitting me as much as I thought. I felt intimidated by the other women my age who attended the class regularly and were stronger than me. I was motivated to expand my efforts. But I also was keenly aware of not thinking poorly of myself as if I was less important.

For once, my value in Christ wasn’t diminished. Praise the Lord. TWEET THAT!!!!!

Over and over again God has to remind me that I must learn to place more importance on whose I am than in what I do. My activity and accomplishments may change, but my inheritance in Christ will never be diminished. Nothing—absolutely nothing—is more significant than the fact that I am a child of God.

What ultimately defines me—and us—is our inheritance in Christ because it:

• Never changes
• Never disappoints
• Never dissolves

Our inheritance in Christ is:

• Immutable
• Secure
• Powerful
• Steadfast
• Always available.

Which of those is most important to you?

I’m thinking of two examples from the Bible that contrast those who value their inheritance in Christ and those who don’t.

Esau is a man who didn’t value his spiritual birthright. Lydia (who I will examine in my next blog post, Part 3) was someone who could clearly see that being in Christ could give someone his or her identity.

Let’s look first at Esau. His story is told in Genesis 25:29-34. Let’s examine what happened with our imaginations. Maybe it happened like this…

It may have been a dusty kind of day when Esau arrived home famished and exhausted. A dirty sweat from walking caked his skin, his stomach growled ferociously, and he couldn’t wait to eat. Everything sounded good, even his own cooking.

As he entered the tent, a fabulous aroma greeted his nostrils. Wonderful! Jacob is making that delicious stew of his again. What perfect timing. My stomach is turning flip-flops in anticipation of the great meal I’m going to have.

“Jacob,” Esau called out. “I’m absolutely starving. Give me some of your wonderful stew. I’m so weak, I can hardly take another step until I have something to eat.”

Jacob began ladling out the stew into a bowl, then paused. An idea bounced into his mind and he knew it was a winner.

“OK Esau,” he replied, “but first you have to sell me your right as the first born.”

Esau stopped in his tracks, not because he was exhausted, which he was, but because he was stunned by Jacob’s demand.

My birthright. What brought that on? he wondered. Esau paused for a moment and the exhaustion seeped deeper into his bones. I’ve got to eat or else or I’ll die. What good is my inheritance if I am dead?

“All right, Jacob,” Esau said as he collapsed onto a rug. “You can have my birthright. Now give me that food, I tell you.”

“No,” Jacob countered, “you have to swear to it.”

“Whatever!” Esau mumbled. “I swear that by you giving me this food, I’ve sold you my inheritance as the first born. It’s yours, OK? Just give me the soup or else I’m going to die.”

Seconds later as Esau scooped the delicious stew into his mouth, he thought it was the best food he ever tasted. It wasn’t until sometime later that the loss of his birthright brought a bad taste into his mouth when he didn’t receive the blessing he desired from his father.

Esau’s temporary hunger had become more important to him than a spiritual birthright that would bless his life forever.

He regretted his snap decision the rest of his days and hated Jacob for what happened.

At times, you and I believe the temporary accolades, accomplishments, activities, and earthly values are more important than trusting God to define who we are and also provide the permanent satisfaction that can only come from Him.

In my next blog post, we will look at Lydia as a contrast to Esau.