Which Tribe do You Belong To?
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (ESV)
Since time immemorial, humanity has divided itself into tribes – by geography, culture, skin colour, politics, even the sporting team we support. Whatever the criterion, we love to be part of a tribe.
And an important element of our tribalism is ensuring that that other tribe doesn’t get the better of you; that they don’t take your land or disrespect you. After all, I’m entitled to be me. I’m entitled to identify with my tribe and get what I deserve.
So can I ask you, what tribe do you belong to? And, second question, how does your membership of that tribe impact your relationship with God? American pastor and author Dale Partridge puts it like this:
“You be you” is Satan’s counterfeit to God’s, “Be holy as I am holy.” I don’t want to be me. God had to save me from me. I stand with the Apostle Paul who said …
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (ESV)
Partridge’s point, and I absolutely think it’s the right one, is that these days way too many who call themselves Christians allow their worldly identity to trump their identity in Christ.
I belong to this political party. I believe in that freedom. This is my sexuality. It’s just who I am. Sound at all familiar? But if you believe in Jesus, then know this: He came to save you from who you were.
You have been crucified with Christ. It’s no longer you who lives, but Christ who lives in you.
Don’t allow your tribalism to rob you of that.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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