August 11, 2000

August 11, 2000 I learned my true identity in Christ.

It’s the day I began allowing Jesus to live His life in me, through me and as me to bring glory to God.

It’s the day I learned I could stop trying to be a “good Christian“

It was the moment in my spiritual walk I understood what true surrender meant

It’s the moment I read these words on page 90 of Dan Stone’s life-changing book,  The Rest of the Gospel, when the partial Gospel has worn you outl:

“The realm of the spirit, the singular realm, is eternal reality. God settled that at the cross for us (italics mine). That is where our spirit being lives, and where our true identity is settled forever. The realm of appearance, the “world”, the “flesh”, how things look and what we do (italics mine), although we must live in it here and now, is false as far as our identity goes. All of life depends on which realm is ultimate reality to you; the realm of spirit or the realm of appearances. That’s what will determine what you believe and how you live.”¹

Reading this book and studying the chapters in Dr. Al Scardino’s Bible study at First Baptist Atlanta changed my life and my entire approach to my walk with Jesus.and my relationship to Him. Two scriptures became cornerstones for knowing, understanding, believing and living out of my true identity in Christ.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV).

At the cross I became a new creation. My old sin life in Adam was gone. Christ made me into something new. He did not remodel me. He made me brand new.

I consider that Sunday a birthday and the second most important day in my life. I didn’t immediately transform into a humble, surrendered servant of God. But I did become immediately aware that God’s Holy Spirit lived in me and He would convict me and bless me and teach me about God every remaining day I’m hanging around this place in this earth suit.

¹The Rest of the Gospel; by Dan Stone and Greg Smith; © 2000 by One Press; P.O. Box 832442, Richardson, Tx, 85403