A re-post on who we are to G_d.
“And since then, O Kings and Ladies, I have been wandering to find him and my happiness is so great that it even weakens me like a wound. And this is the marvel of marvels, that he called me, Beloved, me who am but as a dog.”
~Emeth, “The Last Battle”
C.S. Lewis
and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.
~ James 2:23
~ James 2:23
His Word is simply definitive regarding who we are as true believers in Christ (see “New Thing” ). For our edification, here are just a few things we become when we are made new in Him.
- Loved
- Salt and Light to the World
- His children
- Dead to sin
- Slaves, Instruments and Weapons of righteousness and Him
- Saints
- Temples of the Holy Spirit
- Dispensers of His fragrance
- Overcomers
- Ministers
- Redeemed
- Complete
- Blessed
- Priests
- Aliens of this world
- Citizens of Heaven
As the panoply of this truth surrounds and fills us, our identity takes on an entirely different character. We begin to see that – in Him alone – we can stand up in this wretched world and shine for Him. In Him, we are loved and strong and full….
Then one aspect of who we are in Him just brings our brains to a hard stop.
He calls us His friend.
Who?
You beloved. You who are fully trusting in Him are His friend. Right now, right here and simply forever, The very Consuming Fire Himself; The Love that made the Worlds has counted you as a person with whom He desires fellowship.
But… i’m so wretched. How could He ever want to be my friend? If He only knew the…
He knows beloved. He knows, and He has pursued you relentlessly across forever to purchase your life and friendship with His immeasurably valuable blood.
Why?
The answer is not yet apparent, and it seems that eternity may not be a long enough moment for some mysteries to be solved. What a beautiful mystery though.
What a wonderful day it is to abide in the presence of this Best of Friends! Sometimes it is hard to wait for tomorrow. He always comes up with something new every morning.
Oh, by the way, He told me to tell you something: He Loves you too, and wants you to be His friend.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
~ John 15:12-17
