Born anew?

Fun fact, another way to translate Jesus’ "born anew" phrase would be, "born from above."

So what does it mean to have a new identity from Jesus?

It means to be born anew, from above.

Understanding Our Limitations

I don’t know how to snap.

They taught us on the first day of Kindergarten and I wasn’t paying attention (a foreshadowing of the academic career to come).

The point is that I have limits.

And you do, too.

Jesus’ call to deny ourselves is daunting. Give up the identity I’ve cultivated for myself? Seriously?

But look at the alternative.

Can any of us say we’ve figured life out? Have any of us found the formula for solving all that’s wrong in the world and ourselves?

When I reflect on my identity before Jesus, I see a young man with an idea of right and wrong but lacking a strong foundation for life’s complexities.

As a follower of Jesus, I possess that foundation. Life is still difficult, but I can cope. Why?

Because I’ve found my identity in Someone with no limitations and plenty of love.

Being Born Anew

God made each person uniquely to complement the species as a whole. 

In establishing a relationship with our Creator, we're connected to the One who made us to be unique.

In doing so, we become more ourselves than ever before.

Jesus presents Himself through the qualities He gave us: Gender, age, work, skills… to build your identity around Him is to find your utmost potential in them!

But it also means we change.

Old habits must end, new ones must begin.

This identity also brings a new set of values defined by the qualities embodied by Jesus: Love, joy, peace, and more (Galatians 5v22-25).

Essentially, this identity has us live as Jesus would if He were in our place.

It’s an identity that grows over time, much more than a brief moment of “saying yes to Jesus.”

I dedicated myself to Him on a June afternoon in 2014, Lord knows adopting this identity has been a daily practice since.

It requires loss and sacrifice, but a sacrifice of illusory things. 

In embracing our limitations we’re led to the One who can grow us beyond what we thought imaginable. 

This identity allows us to see time and eternity in a new way- through the lens of hope and love, with a purpose that doesn’t grow cold.

We’re all born seeking identity.

I’m convinced that desire is calling us to the same place.

To a gentle, wandering preacher from Galilee whose heart can heal the ache in every human soul.

An identity in Him is not easy but once He changes your name, once you’re born from above, you’ll never want to go back.

For now, be blessed.

Jon,

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