for neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. and as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. [galatians 5:16-17]

 

you are a new creation.

 

this is the reality of your identity in Christ, because of Christ. what you do or what is done to you can never define you or give value to you the way that Jesus can and does. the question is – do you believe this.

which more powerfully defines you and gives you value? – your identity in Christ as a new creation, or your identity in: your family, your relationships, your wounds, your career, your failures, your passions, your dreams?

 

to “walk by this rule” – means you believe that being “a new creation” is of greater value and more powerfully defines you than what you do or is done to you. you can agree with this truth. you can declare this truth to others. but, what you functionally believe will eventually surface to the top. and, it tends to do so in the most inopportune moments.

when life starts to fall in around you …

when your career suddenly seems in jeopardy …

when someone makes you recall a deep wound …

when a dream finally ends …

when your family faces an internal crisis..

when these moments happen, what gives you value and what most powerfully defines you surfaces quickly.

 

if it is any of these temporal type things – when chaos hits – you will see that what you say you believe (new creation is of most value and most powerfully defines) and what you actually believe (something else is of most value and most powerfully defines) – are different.

 

good news today.

in one moment, all this can begin to change. today, right now – you can ask the God of all creation to empower you to “walk” by a different rule. this moment can mark the beginning of a new walk for you in Christ.

what do you need to do?

 

fully submit.

paul has asked us to “walk” and “live” according to the Spirit already in galatians. a quick reminder is needed for us all. to “walk” or “live” in the Spirit is our call to abide in and submit to his rule and voice in our life. [galatians 5:16, 25]

 

today submit your whole being to the Lord.

i appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind [romans 12:1-2]

 

as you submit all of you as a living sacrifice – ask the Lord for belief to grow. and ask the Lord for belief to go from head to heart – from information to transformation. ask the Lord to begin to change you because you long for his presence and his identity to give value and define you above all things.

and it all begins with submission.

 

Lord, hear our prayers, …

 

~ john ryan