A New Identity
Today was a hot day. It looks like we have moved out of our monsoon season of this spring. It was good to get to the pool after some yard work and errands. One of those errands was taking some of my equipment back to “GoodHealthwill” to re-donate it for others to use. I also removed the extension from our back step that Christian had built for me last year. These were a couple more signs of progression in my recovery.
Yesterday, my fr
iend Zane Strange and I made a visit to Larimer County Drug Court and to District Judge Daniel Kaup’s office. Judge Kaup and I served together on a State Drug Task Force for a number of years. Zane, who was instrumental in the design and coordination of building our handicap ramp, as part of “Serve 6.8” had a different connection. Over eleven years ago, he was in an orange jumpsuit standing before Judge Kaup facing several felony drug charges.
Judge Kaup was instrumental in getting Zane headed in the right direction and this was an opportunity for Zane to thank the Judge and share his story of victory over addiction and how they Lord was using him in some significant ways in coordinating community disaster relief and reaching out to homeless people and those in desperate need for a new direction in their life.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth…seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (Colossians 3:1,2,10)
“…To him who overcomes, to him I will give….a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17)
New life in Christ presents us with the grand prospect of a new identity and new character. We see it referenced in such ways when we speak of being “born again” and being “a new creation.” We are to accept this new identity through a new focus or our hearts and minds. Paul says to, “seek things that are above…set your mind on things above…” He goes on to say basically, “live your life in accordance with the new self which is… being renewed after the image of its creator.”
Often times in scripture we see this new identity reflected in a new name. In the Old Testament, Abram, becomes Abraham; Jacob becomes Israel. In the New Testament Simon becomes Peter; Saul becomes Paul. To the Church at Pergamum the resurrected Christ promises those who “overcome” a new name.
I have had this on my mind since I visited Judge Daniel Kaup’s office yesterday. He presides over the drug court in Larimer County and they are preparing for a graduation. In his office was a poster put together by some of those who have completed the program, one quote caught my attention, it said, “I am not what I have done, I am what I have overcome.” This individual was expressing that they were putting the past and an old identity behind them and choosing to identify with their victories and not their failures; what they have overcome in the present and not what had overcome them in the past.
That is an apt mindset and attitude for those who been made “alive in Christ.” In Christ shame is removed and He redeems lost years and opportunities and provides a new start and a new identity.
As we were in Church this evening the words of this song of Chris Tomlin’s caught my attention:
I was lost
I was in chains
The world had a hold of me
My heart was a stone
I was covered in shame
When He came for me
I couldn’t run, couldn’t run from His presence
I couldn’t run, couldn’t run from His arms
Jesus, He loves me, He loves me, He is for me
Jesus, how can it be, He loves me, He is for me
These words would have a powerful connection for those overcoming a bondage to drugs and alcohol, but they are a fitting description of every life before coming to Christ. Remember, “Jesus loves you and is for you” and gives you a new identity in Him.