---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Byron Wicker
To: People Who Keep Company with God
Date: 9/11/2008 8:08:36 AM
Subject: Identity Theif
Dear People who Keep Company with God,
Identity theft has become a major crime in
the electronic age we now live in. The paper shredder has become a standard
office item as it is not wise to put any type of personal information in the
garbage nor can you afford to let anyone see your bank numbers at an ATM or card
swipes at the check-out counter. While all of this is important to know, there
is a greater thief attempting to steal your identity. It is the father of lies,
Satan. I believe this is one of the greatest crimes that Satan has committed
against the human race. Identity theft keeps many Christians entangled in sin,
keeps you from your purpose and keeps you from living the victorious abundant
life that Christ died that we might have.
Like a
city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his
spirit. Proverbs 25:28
In the ancient times, a city that was broken into and without walls had no clear identity, no clear boundaries and no way to
protect itself. This is a picture of
many believers. They do not have a true identity, nor do they have solid
boundaries that will protect them. They lack the fruit of self-control as the
Holy Spirit has not yet been allowed fuller access into the deeper parts of
their heart and mind. This type of person constantly strives to fit in and be
accepted. In my younger Christian years I so yearned to be accepted and loved
in the church world. In the professional world that I worked in at that time I
felt I was accepted and valued because I had an identity as an engineer. I took
this type of mindset into the church and believed if I had certain gifts and
anointing that I would be accepted and valued in the church. This is a great
deception and I constantly suffered with feelings of inadequacy, rejection and
never felt I truly fit in. I would point my finger at the church and the people
when the real issue was in me, not them.
I did not know my true identity and I was easy prey for the enemy's
deception.
In the natural a father's role is to provide
a safe, secure environment and the identity of the child. This is what the
Heavenly Father desires to do for every person on this planet. As believers we "have not received a spirit of slavery
leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by
which we cry out, "Abba ! Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself testifies
with our spirit that we are children of God Romans 8:15-16. The most
profound spiritual experience I have yet had apart from being born again was
when I fell into a trance and "Abba" came and set down beside me. In biblical
times, "Abba" was a title not to be used by slaves to a master, but
only by children to their father. That
experience imparted a greater revelation that God is my Father and my basic
identity; I am His little boy. This little child revelation enabled me to
experience the kingdom of heaven more clearly than any teaching or study on how
to be child like ever has or ever will.
This has also enabled me to get in tune with
the Father's heart and I am now on a journey of discovering more of my
identity, legitimacy and birthright. I am more secure now than at any time in
my entire life. As His little boy I feel I am now growing mentally,
spiritually, emotionally and relationally. Something akin to Jesus' experience;
And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and
stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52.
As George McDonald the great Scottish
revivalist said, "This is and has
been the Father's work from the beginning - to bring us into the home of His
heart. This is our destiny."
Many Blessings, BW