If God is my heavenly Father, then...

"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." - Galatians 3:26-27

These are two verses that should shape the way we look at ourselves. 

"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,"

We are God's children, in His family...because of Jesus. Therefore, we ought to be richly loved...and great in humility. We deserve none of the love, yet we have received. If we are not receiving, then it is important to figure out what's hindering God's love from filling my heart and my life? It cannot be God, for He is a loving Father, unashamed to pour out His love on His children. His love heals all the wounds of the soul, of this I am sure.

"for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

We are clothed with Christ. It does not mean we are carrying Christ on our backs. Rather, He is our righteousness (Romans 3:22), our glory (Colossians 1:27) and our means to a fruitful life (John 10:10). What Christ is to us, is as what the ring, the robe and the sandals were to the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. 

In Christ, we can call God Father, and we have complete access to Him, who holds all power and authority on heaven and earth. What do you lack? Come before your Father, for you should have nothing lacking in God.

Postscript: If the above is already part of your deepest beliefs, then consider, princes and princesses of the Realm, the dominion and sphere and arena your Father has called you to rule, influence and fight in. We are not called to live extravagantly in prosperity, but certainly called to demonstrate our Father's love extravagantly.

The iron within, and without.

This is not meant to be a movie review, but coming fresh from watching Iron Man 3, I realize that the movie was more than an action movie with a thin plot and Downey Jr's witty banter as Tony Stark. At the end, Stark realizes that the suit(s) was only an manifestation of his real nature inside. He is, through and through, Iron Man. This was the point that was made.

What then is my nature? Beneath the roles I play, as son to my parents, sibling to my sisters, leader to my members, brother to my brothers-in-Christ, mentor to my Boys, what is my nature? Impulsive? Compulsive? Analytical? 

My nature is a new one, the one that is expressed in Galatians 2:20:

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

This great love of God overtakes me, overwhelms whatever labels others or myself put on me. It is no longer I who live, but Christ compels me instead. I live this life, doing whatever He wants me to do, being whoever He wants me to be. Is this a kind of slavery?

No, it cannot be, because it is based on a great and unselfish love, clearly laid out in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. This love, I know, seeks to elevate the beloved (i.e. me) to its rightful place (i.e. to be with God the Father). If so, then it cannot be slavery, since slavery focuses on the master's will, with neither care nor concern for the slave.

On this note, I also noted that Paul also goes on to tell the Galatians that the new nature we have in Christ is not internal only. The very next chapter, in Galatians 3:27, he states that we are clothed in Christ. Inside, and outside, we are covered in Christ! This is better than any metal suit I can wear, even if it's as cool as Tony Stark's! 

How great a liberty I have in Christ! How great indeed, and I only lament that my small mind can only comprehend so little! I pray that I may quickly grow more appreciative of these eternal things, and stop rejoicing in chiefly the earthly pleasures!