1)      Created identity

2)      Different identity

3)      Physical identity

4)      This week – changing identity

 

So, last week we looked at how to focus our eyes on God and not the world when accepting the physical identity given to us by God.  But, there are lots of areas in which I struggle to live in a way which will honour God, not just in my physical appearance.  

 

How can we become more like Christ as we play our sport?

 

Wayne Rooney came to Manchester United as a young teenager and is now established as one of the best strikers in the world.  There were 2 people who were crucial in this development – Alex Ferguson and Wayne himself! 

 

1)  Alex Ferguson had to the job of guiding, teaching, disciplining and encouraging him so that he could develop to his full potential.

2)   Wayne Rooney had to be willing to grow, develop, work hard and improve as well, so that Alex Ferguson’s wisdom would not go to waste.

 

As Christians, God has not left us to work at our lives here on our own.  He has given us a helper in his Holy Spirit to guide, teach and mould us to become more like him.  However, we have a response to make – we have to be willing to work hard at becoming more like Christ in all aspects of our lives!  If we want to have a changing identity to become more like Christ, then we have to respond in how we live.

                                                                                                                    

Look what Paul says about this in Romans;

 

‘For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live…’  Romans 8 v 13

 

What is he saying here?

‘put to death the misdeeds of the body’ – work hard at the areas in which you know you struggle to please God.  Not only work hard at these areas but, with the help of the spirit, put them to death!  Stop them altogether!

 

What is the result?  Life - What a promise that is from God!  If we are willing to become more like him by practically dealing with our areas of weakness, he will give us life and life to the full!

 

What does this mean for us as we try and live for Christ this week?

 

We can live this week with the assurance that God is changing us to become more like him, even through our weaknesses.  He is changing us to become more like his son, if we are willing to be changed.  The more willing we are to be changed and transformed, the more God can work in us. 

 

Why not try to identify those areas in which you know you struggle and ask God to give you the power to develop your changing identity to become more like him?