Who Am I, Really?

Personally, that's a big question for me. "Who am I, really?". We live in a society that says, "Just be yourself!", and not mention, this one, "You can be anything you want to be!".

Its not a bad thing to 'be yourself,' but most of the time, it's being said by those who, truly, have no idea who they really are. Knowing who we are is the most critical step. But how do we figure that out?

It's simple: to know Christ is to know your true identity. You can't just 'be yourself' without first discovering your true identity in Christ. To 'be yourself' outside of who God has called us to be is simply a case of identity theft; we're just like everyone else, going through the motions of trying to create a false image of who we think that we are. We were created for more.

But how do we live in the identity that we've been given through Christ? Galatians 5:25 says this, "Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives".  That, my friends, is how we live in the identity that we have been given through Christ. We are all created unique and with a purpose. Dig deeper into God's presence to discover who He has created you to be!

Unconditional Love

I want to start off by asking a question: Is love really uncondtional?

Hearing about, and seeing, the recent, violent attacks, across the United States, such as in Orlando with the 'gay club' terrorist attack and the deadly political protests, some people, especially Christians, may struggle with understanding the idea of unconditional love.

Its no question that a lot of people would like to rip into someone who has caused as much harm that has been caused over the past little bit. And, to be quite honest, it's understandable. We're human. And we have feelings. But as followers of Christ, how should we respond? Its simple: with uncontional love and forgiveness.

You may ask, "How in the world can I just love and forgive someone after everything they've done!? They don't deserve it!" (Y'all would be surprised at how many 'Christ-followers' say that..), or you've heard, and maybe even said this, "I just cant let it go this time!"

Now, let me ask you this: Where were you when Christ picked you up and rescued you? Not your location, but what kind of sin were you bound by? What kinds of things where you doing that would grieve the Holy Spirit?

Now that, that is out there, I could ask you the same questions that you may have asked yourself: "How could God just forgive and love a person like you, after all you've done?! You don't deserve His love!"
The answer: UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

God loves you, no matter where you've been, what you've done, or how many times you've hurt and rejected him. He loves you unconditionally. No strings attached! Even if you're still living in sin right now! His love and grace is for you! And He poured it out, as an example, on the cross 2000 years ago in Calvary! John 3:16 says this, "For God so loved the world that he gavehis one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

So the answer to the opening question, in closing: YES! True love is unconditional. Any other form of love, isn't love at all. So love your enemies! It's the most powerful weapon you can use against them!

"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!"
-Matthew 5:44