Your Identity In ChristSample

Jesus, Our Older Brother

We all are in need of being saved from the quicksand of our sin.

Sandra McCracken, on her album Live Under Lights and Wires, tells a story of two young boys who play together near a river. Sadly, the two boys fall into some quicksand. When the rescue workers finally come, they only find the younger brother standing on top of the sand. When the boy is asked where his brother is, he says, "I'm standing on his shoulders." The older brother had sacrificed himself to save his younger brother.

Just like that younger brother, we all are in need of being saved from the quicksand of our sin. Fortunately, Jesus, our older brother, saves us.

Read Ephesians 2:1-10

Read through these verses and find ways that Paul contrasted our old nature of sinking in sin with our new nature in Christ.

OLD NATURE

NEW NATURE

Separated from Christ

United with Christ

Dead

Alive

Disobedient

Obedient

Ruled by spiritual evil

Sharing in Jesus' rule over spiritual evil

Objects of God's wrath

Objects of God's affection

Walking in sin

Walking in good works

Prayer

Thank God that you are a new creation in Christ. Consider taking this list, writing it down, and taping it to your mirror to remind you of your new identity in Christ.