Do You Know Who You Are?
By Tammy Lacock
Warren Litzman makes it clear, once again, that his mission is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the writings of the Apostle Paul.
In this week’s podcast, he goes on to explain the first use of the term “Christian” and what it means to be a Christian. It is only through Paul’s epistles where we can begin to know who we are as Christians.
The Apostle Paul was raised up by Christ, Himself, as the only writer in the Bible to deliver what he calls the “revelation of the mystery”.
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.” (Romans 16:25)
“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words)." (Ephesians 3:3)
So what is this mystery Paul speaks of?
It is made clear throughout his epistles that the great mystery is Christ literally living in every believer. This is where the term “Christian” originates. We are Christ-persons, Christians. Paul first used this term in Antioch to define believers in whom Christ lives.
“Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:25-26)
Paul shares his revelation of the mystery not only to the believers during his time but also to us NOW. His message is alive and well for us NOW! Christ NOW lives in us. When He died on the cross, we died too, to our old lives. And when He arose from the dead, we arose too, to a new life in Him.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Warren goes on to explain what it means to be a completed Christian.
A mature, completed Christian knows their true identity, who he/she is in Christ. They’ve had the revelation of the mystery. They see Christ as their only life and will rightly divide the Scriptures between those who don’t know Christ as their life and those who are born again and know Christ as their life. The law no longer functions for those who know Christ in them. It’s no longer needed for those born again. Christ is their new life. Those who do not know Christ need the law in order to function.
Christians are supercharged by another life they now live, Christ in them. They know that God sees Jesus in them now. He doesn’t see a Baptist, or a Methodist, or a Charismatic, or a Catholic, etc. Christians know that because God sees Jesus as their new life, we are His bona fide children, joint-heirs with Christ to His heavenly Kingdom. We are no longer earthly beings but are translated into His Kingdom. We are on our way to living in our Father’s heavenly house. As ambassadors of Christ, we are here on earth now to represent His government and reconcile others to Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Warren emphasizes God’s heartfelt love for those who believe in Christ, His Son, as their Savior. When He saw Jesus pay that price for our sins to reconcile us back to Him, His Grace and Mercy poured out unto us, and is pouring out unto us every day.
Do you know who you are?
Dive into Paul’s epistles and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the great mystery Paul writes about over and over in his epistles. The mystery of who you are! The mystery of Christ living in you! You are a Christ person, a Christian!
And in the eyes of God, you are His bona fide child!