I came that they might have life.

Jesus is the original, the inexhaustible, the omnipotent LIFE – in whose absence the whole of creation and every inhabitant therein is called ‘dead.’

The father of the lost son said, ‘For this my son was dead, and is alive again.’
Likewise the difference in the ‘Stinking Lowdown Slimy Sinner’ – when he comes to Jesus – that which made him eligible for salvation, and the name that describes it – is crucified with Christ.

The man is now a new creation; life out of death; once afar, now beloved. Henceforth, the name, “Stinking Lowdown Slimy Sinner,” bears a false witness.

The old man, nature, characteristics and names are now restricted to points of reference. To persist in carrying them alongside your identity as a new man in Christ insults the Spirit of Grace. It disrespects the price paid to take ALL of your sin and its curse into Himself to completely satisfy the debt, and then . . . to raise you up with Him in newness of life – entirely set free from the law of sin and death.

The Father delights in the son who now wears his ring and robe and sandals, and bears his name. When the celebration ensues and the fatted calf is roasting, he does not wish to see his dear son looking out over the hill resurrecting the dead by mourning over a life that is no longer his.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1 John 3

Jesus said, I have called you friends. We're now co-laborers, kings, priests, sons, chosen of God and dearly loved.

Can you give thanks for a talent or gift you will not acknowledge?
Can you rise to a call you refuse to hear?
Can you live up to a name you will not own?
Does the clay say to the potter, ‘why did you make me thus?’
Do we, the saved, say to the Savior, ‘I will count my assessment of myself of more worth than Yours.’

Real humility acknowledges Christ’s words: Apart from Me, you can do nothing.
With no less humility, he boldly declares; I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

When can we say with a full heart, “Now, I am a son of God, for You have made me to be so?"