End-time identity

WE SHOULD not approach end-time teachings just for information, because, when we approach spiritual things solely for knowledge, it pushes us in the wrong direction and, according to 1 Corinthians 8:1, knowledge puffs up. Seeking this knowledge needs to be about getting our belief system right, building our faith, and avoiding being led astray. “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT).

When we consider that cults are in our country, well-thinking Jamaicans are in shock at some things that have occurred. They’re symptoms of the last days. That’s why we shouldn’t approach end-time teachings solely for information, but to appropriate it for application. This will enable us to clearly see charlatans for who they are. The end times are more dangerous than we may believe, so the teachings and instruction in the Bible must be our rudder, steering us in the right direction.

In Colossians 3, the Apostle Paul gave his readers some instructions with the end times in mind. “Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3 (NIV). He was pointing them to the second coming of Christ and telling them that they, and subsequently us, must approach life with that in mind. The Bible is saying that we must be prepared, leave “dead living” and step into “Godly living”. As we look forward to Jesus’ return, we must choose to step into Godly living. To do this we must start by walking in the truth of who we are as Christians.

WRONG DOCTRINE

The first step in doing that is understanding and embracing our Christian identity. This affects what we do, how we behave, what we will accept, and our expectations. Some of us, although we are Christian, struggle with our Christian identity. Some of us have believed wrong doctrine. One example is that some of us describe ourselves as objects of wrath by constantly declaring that we are sinners saved by grace. When we call ourselves sinners, we expect to sin as a norm, because sinners sin and are to be punished. Sinners expect God’s wrath, so their response to the end times is very fearful. That mindset sets us up.

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14 (NIV). As Christians, we are no longer sinners.

In the Bible, when someone accepts Jesus (saved by grace through faith), the Scripture never uses the word sinner to describe them thereafter. The Scripture says they are saints. Sinners sin, but saints are empowered to live in God’s Kingdom, and have the propensity to live holy. Christians are no longer sinners but saints, called to live holy. “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3 (NIV).

In these end times, we need to think of ourselves on this new level. We’re not the same as we used to be, and we don’t live the way we used to live. Christians, start identifying yourself with your new life.