We just love listening to Brandon’s messages. They are simple enough teachings for a new Christian, yet they have enough depth that people that have been Christians all their lives can be impacted as well.
We chose to listen to this second message from his series on I Peter titled “Who You Are”. This is something that so many people struggle with. Until you truly understand your identity, you will not have the impact in this life that you could have.
I was really impacted by this message because it is a topic I have been working on ever since my factory closed that I had worked at for nearly 20 years (find that story here). This message will really help you establish a foundation for who you are. If you are a Christian, your identity is founded in Jesus Christ.
One of the things that really struck me from the I Peter chapter 1 was that I am invincible. Yes, you read that right, I am invincible. In verse 5 we find that Christians “…through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (NIV)”
We also find in Romans 8:38-39 that “…neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)”
So that means we are invincible, right? There is nothing that can happen to us that is not ordained and allowed by God. And at the same time, there is nothing that can prevent what He HAS ordained from happening to us. We each have an appointed time to die and it will not happen until that day arrives, and when that day arrives, nothing can prevent it.
That being the case, I should not be living my life in fear of anything. I should live boldly without fear of what may happen to me. That doesn’t mean I should “tempt the Spirit” by running around living recklessly. It does mean I shouldn’t live a life of fear.
Yes, things are getting pretty crazy and uncertain in this world… but I am invincible.
If I boldly live my faith, I may be ridiculed and made fun of… but I am invincible.
When storms and natural disasters occur all around me… I am invincible.
It’s a pretty empowering statement. Psalm 27:1 says “The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? (NIV)”
We do have a kryptonite however. It’s sin. Each little bit of sin that we allow into our lives begins to weaken us and introduce a spirit of fear. We need to ruthlessly root out the sin in our lives and grab hold of the Power that is available to us.
So get out there and be bold. Live out the life that God has ordained for you. “Suck out all the marrow of life” as Thoreau says. Be invincible. The world needs a hero.