We hope you’re reading This Changes Everything by Jaquelle Crowe along with us. This week we tackled Chapter 1: Our Identity. Check out the vlog below for a quick overview.
This Changes Everything
In chapter 1, Jaquelle points us to this passage, written by the apostle Paul. Read it carefully, deliberately. This matters!
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead (Phil. 3:8–11).
When we become Christians, our identity is overhauled, and we become someone who does six things:
- We treasure Christ.
- We devalue everything else.
- We put our faith in Christ alone.
- We know Him.
- We suffer for Him.
- We become like Him.
This Is Impossible!
If that list feels impossible, you’re on to something! Because all of this is impossible without Christ. That is why it is the gospel that transforms us, not us who transform ourselves. If you have the desire to treasure Christ and devalue all else, God has given it to you. Praise Him for it, and ask Him to do it more and more. If you put your faith in Christ, even when you’re tempted to hope in other things, that is because He is building your faith, moment by moment. If you know more about Him this summer than you did last, that is fruit that you can feel good about. If you are willing to take it on the chin because Jesus is better than popularity, or acceptance, or looking like everyone else, atta girl! You can be confident that He is transforming you more and more into His image.
Keep Reading
Keep reading This Changes Everything along with us all summer long. Hop back on the blog next Monday for a video update from Bethany on Chapter 2: Our Story. We can’t wait to see you there!