Identify with Christ

Part of our Christmas celebration this year occurred at the cabin. There is something about the North Country that seems to stir my thoughts even in the midst of work. On Sunday late afternoon, I spent a bit of time outside. I began to ponder what it meant to fully identify with Christ. There is a Biblical principle of the believer’s identification with Jesus. We can expect to experience many same things that Jesus experienced; both the suffering and the glory.

I believer that there is no greater privilege than having our lives mirror the life of Jesus as revealed in the scriptures. We rejoice when attacked by the religious establishment of our day. We are blessed when people say all sorts of falsehoods about us because we are following Christ. I am convinced that there is no death more honorable than dying for the cause of Christ.

While following Christ frequently seems to bring us to the point of death, death is not the end for those that identify with Jesus. Scripture clearly outlines that if we identify with Christ in His suffering, we will also experience His glory.

Bev and I have experienced the truth of the words of scripture, especially during the past several years. At no time in our lives have we been as blessed as recently. God has restored many of the dreams of the past all the while fulfilling the present dreams as well. Conversely, at no time in our lives have we been attacked on a personal level like the past years.

I do not think that our experience is out of the ordinary for followers of Jesus. As I posted earlier this month, Simeon spoke prophetically that Jesus would be a sign that would be spoken against. Jesus told His disciples that they (we) would experience the things He experienced. Followers of Jesus can expect that they too will become a sign that will be attacked.

I want to encourage you – Do not be fearful of the attacks. Do not be diverted by the falsehoods. Lose your life for the sake of Christ. If you do, you will be sure to find it!