by Anonymous | Jan 7, 2026 | Life and Faith, NO Accidental Disciples
Think about Michelangelo and David for a second. That masterpiece didn’t start with the perfect shape. It started as a big, rough block of marble. And here’s the fun part—he didn’t add anything to make it beautiful. Nope. Every single strike of the chisel was about taking something away. Every chunk he removed got him closer to the image he already saw in his mind.
That’s exactly how God works with us in discipleship. He’s not just sprinkling life lessons or spiritual confetti on top of us and calling it good. He’s actively removing the things that don’t belong in the masterpiece He’s creating. Sometimes that’s obvious stuff—anger, pride, fear. But sometimes it’s sneaky: habits, attitudes, relationships, or even “good” things we thought were part of who we are.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB) says: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Becoming a disciple isn’t passive—it’s active. Every choice to follow Jesus is like letting Him strike the marble in just the right spot. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, even painful, and sometimes God removes pieces that feel familiar or useful—but it’s not punishment. It’s preparation, clearing away the extra stuff so the true image of Christ in you can shine through.
A Response for the Week:
Take 10 minutes this week—maybe with your coffee, maybe hiding from the chaos, maybe in your car—and ask God to show you what He’s chiseling away in your life. What’s that piece you thought belonged, but doesn’t actually belong in the masterpiece He’s creating? Surrender it, let Him do His work, and watch the masterpiece start to emerge.
by Anonymous | Dec 18, 2024 | Christmas, Great Light
In the world, there shines a light—the redeeming light of Jesus Christ. When we come to Jesus, we are invited to step out of the shadows of sin into the brilliant, transformative light that only He can provide. This light is the key to a new identity—one grounded in righteousness, freedom, and grace. The Bible speaks of Jesus as the true light, the One who came to pierce the darkness of sin and offer us salvation.
Jesus’ birth is the fulfillment of God’s plan to restore humanity’s broken identity through His life, death, and resurrection (Galatians 4:4-5). Advent reminds us that our identity is not rooted in our flaws or failures but in God’s redemptive love. Advent is a time to reflect on this familial relationship and live into our identity as part of God’s family.
I remember, as a small child, a heavy emphasis was placed on wealth, my appearance, and how well I kept my room. I could do nothing to please my mother. She found faults and flaws in everything. I did not know what a compliment was or how to give or receive one. I also longed to hear the words “I love you” and desperately wanted affection—a hug or pat on my head, someone to hold my hand, anything just to know I was wanted and loved. I was told that children are to be seen and not heard.
By the time I reached adulthood, my identity was found in my physical appearance, material possessions, perfectionism, performance, and overachievement. This couldn’t have been farther from the truth. When I finally emerged from the darkness, it was like a massive transformation—so unbelievable that I was afraid someone would think I was playing cards with a handful of jokers.
I knew that I knew—when I felt that massive weight lifted from me—that I was a new creation. I knew without a doubt I was not the same person, nor would I ever be that old person again. The enemy still tries to get his foot in the door of my identity, but he’s got the wrong person. I know who I am in Christ. I know my God-given identity. I know what God feels about me, what He says about me, the promises He gave to me, and the inheritance I will receive from Him. It can be found in scripture. Please don’t let the enemy rob you of your identity. Memorize the acronym below and say it until you believe it.
In Christ, I am made new, defined by God’s love, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and a new creation in Christ, transformed by the renewing of my mind. Inheritor of God’s promises while tethered to God’s grace, I am God’s masterpiece. I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y.
We are image-bearers with our identity in God as we are made in His likeness. God sees you as someone He deeply and unconditionally loves. His love is not based on your performance but on His unchanging nature.
Through Christ’s sacrifice, God sees you as righteous—holy and blameless in His sight. God sees you as an overcomer, empowered by His Spirit to walk in victory over sin, fear, and the enemy. In Christ, God sees you as loved, chosen, forgiven, righteous, His child, a new creation, valuable, and victorious. This identity is secure and unchanging, anchored in His grace and faithfulness.
Advent is a profound season that draws us deeper into understanding our God-given identity through the story of Jesus’ birth and its implications for our lives today.
Understanding your identity in Christ—how God sees you—is foundational to living a life of faith, freedom, and purpose. The Bible reveals that God sees you through the lens of Christ’s work, not your shortcomings.
When Jesus redeems us, He doesn’t just forgive our sins; He gives us a new identity. As believers, we are called to live out this new identity every day. Galatians 5:1, NIV, declares, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” This new identity is a profound shift. 2 Corinthians 5:17, CSB, reminds us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Our old life, marked by sin and death, has been replaced with a life of righteousness and freedom.
Remember, you are a new creation, redeemed by the blood of Jesus. Live in the freedom He has provided, and let His light shine brightly in your life. John 12:46, NIV, assures us, “I have come into the world as a light so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” Step out of the darkness, walk in His light, and live as the redeemed child of God that you are.
