Ephesians 1:11 - Theres Only One True Source for Identity and Purpose.
Ephesians 1:11 (MSG) It's in Christ that we
find out who we are and what we are living for.
Long before we first heard of Christ and got our
hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us
for glorious living,
COMMENTARY PEARL
The only way to know who you are and what
your purpose is in life is to look to Jesus
Christ. Why? Because he created you!
"We look at this Son and see Gods
original purpose in everything created everything
got started in him and finds its purpose in him"
(Colossians 1:15-16 The Message).
The phrase "in Christ" is one of the most
important in the Bible. In the New Testament it is
used 89 times, and the phrase "in him" is used 79
times.
If you have trusted Jesus Christ for
salvation, you likely call yourself a Christian, but
the word Christian is used only twice in
the whole Bible. In biblical times, the most
common description used for a follower of Jesus was
"in Christ."
That directly points to where you should
find your identity as a follower of Jesus.
Ephesians 1:11 says, "Its in Christ that we find
out who we are and what we are living for" (The
Message).
In Christ, you find out who you are -
thats your identity. And you find what youre
living for - thats your purpose.
The only way to know your identity and
purpose in life is by getting to know your Creator.
You may think you know yourself best, but God
knows everything about you. He made you to love
you, and he gave you a purpose only you can
fulfill. If you really want to find out what that
purpose is and how to pursue it, you have to get to
know Jesus Christ and ask for his wisdom and
direction.
When you look for your identity in other
people, you're not going to find it. When you look
for your identity in your job or your hobby or
your accomplishments or your causes, youre
only going to be disappointed.
When you find your identity in Christ,
youre going to find your purpose and the
motivation to get to work on it. [Daily Devotional by
Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Genesis 1:26 (TNIV) Then God said, Let us
make human beings in our image, in our likeness,
so that they may rule over the fish in the sea
and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and
all the wild animals, and over all the creatures
that move along the ground.
Genesis 1:27 - In His Image.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20171210-1151.html
Galatians 5:22, 23 - The Fruit of the Spirit.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200420-0835.html
Matthew 28:19, 20 - Jesus Gives The Great
Commission.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100221-1353.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (currently live):
https://bible.awr.org/the-warning/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug
Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
