IDENTITY – Your Role in His Kingdom • Messianic Livestream | Soldier of Christ | Messianic Service

This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, delivered by Mr. Dan Bush, explores the profound concept of identity for believers in Jesus Christ, drawing powerful parallels with the training and mindset of a soldier. It emphasizes that upon accepting Christ, believers undergo a fundamental shift in identity, moving from self-reliance to becoming integral members of God’s Kingdom. Just as a soldier’s individual identity is initially stripped away and reformed through basic training to serve a larger purpose, a believer’s old identity rooted in sin is replaced by a new identity in Christ, purposed for good works prepared by God.

The Stripping Away of the Old Identity: The teaching highlights the initial experience in the military where a recruit’s civilian identity is systematically dismantled, symbolized by a haircut and the issuance of a uniform and identification tag. This process, though rigorous, is essential to transform self-sufficient individuals into functioning members of a cohesive unit with shared goals and values. Spiritually, this mirrors the transformation that occurs when someone becomes a believer. The old self, characterized by living according to worldly desires and being children of wrath, dies, and a new creation in Christ emerges. This new identity is not based on personal achievements or worldly status but on being a part of God’s Kingdom.

The New Identity in Christ: The speaker emphasizes that in the Kingdom of God, it is also “not about me.” Believers are called out of darkness and into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son, receiving redemption and forgiveness of sins. This new identity is foundational, influencing how believers live and interact with the world. Just as a soldier’s uniform reflects their allegiance and the values of their branch, a believer’s life should reflect the character and ideals of God’s Kingdom. This understanding of our new identity is crucial because the enemy actively seeks to attack and undermine it, leading to doubt, fear, and a sense of being lost.

Spiritual Boot Camp: The process of spiritual growth is likened to “spiritual boot camp,” where believers are discipled and taught the fundamentals of their new faith. This involves learning scripture, understanding the fruit of the Spirit, and recognizing the ongoing struggle between the old nature (the flesh) and the new nature in Christ. This training equips believers to understand their responsibilities within the Kingdom and to walk out their faith effectively. The ultimate aim is to move beyond the initial salvation experience into the fullness of God’s calling, recognizing that believers are part of a larger kingdom and not meant to be “Lone Rangers.”

Equipped for Battle: Spiritual Weapons: Drawing another parallel with military service, the teaching underscores that believers are equipped with spiritual weapons for the battles they will face. These weapons are not physical but are divinely powerful, capable of destroying strongholds and taking every thought captive to obey Christ. The primary spiritual weapons highlighted are prayer, praise, and the word of our testimony. Prayer acknowledges our dependence on God, praise declares His attributes and promises, and our testimony shares our experiences of God’s faithfulness, strengthening both ourselves and others. Just as every Marine is first a rifleman, every believer is first a worshiper, equipped to engage in spiritual warfare.

The Nature of Spiritual Warfare: The teaching acknowledges the reality of spiritual battles that believers face daily. These attacks can manifest in various ways, including fear, pain, doubt, anger, and challenges to health and finances. The enemy, likened to a military adversary, employs tactics of confusion, fear, despair, and lies to distract believers from their true identity and dependence on God. He seeks to minimize God’s role and create doubt in His faithfulness. Understanding the enemy’s character as a liar, thief, and murderer is essential to recognizing the source and purpose of these attacks. Just as military leaders study their enemies, believers must understand the tactics of spiritual warfare to stand firm in their faith.

The Stronghold: A Place of Defense and Resistance: When facing intense spiritual attacks, believers are encouraged to “fall back to the stronghold.” This stronghold is not a physical location but a posture of the heart and mind firmly set on God and His Word. It is a defensive position where believers erect “walls of praise” and seek God’s battle plan through prayer and His specific words for the situation. Occupying the stronghold signifies a commitment to regard God’s reputation above our own, agreeing with His truth regardless of circumstances, and standing firm in our commitments until victory is seen. While being in the stronghold means being a target in the midst of the battlefield, it is also a place of protection and the presence of God. Ultimately, the teaching suggests there are only two outcomes when in the stronghold: victory or being taken out, emphasizing the need for unwavering faith and reliance on God.

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Application for Everyday Life:

• Recognize your new identity in Christ as a member of God’s Kingdom, not defined by your past or worldly standards.
• Engage in consistent spiritual training through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship to strengthen your faith.
• Actively use your spiritual weapons of prayer, praise, and your testimony in your daily battles.
• Be aware of the enemy’s tactics of deception and fear, and counter them with the truth of God’s Word.
• Learn to identify and enter the “stronghold” of resting in God’s promises and presence during times of intense difficulty.
• Practice obedience to God’s Word in the small, everyday tasks, knowing it prepares you for greater things.
• Trust in God’s timing and eternal perspective, even when things don’t make sense in the present.
• Be willing to “stand in the gap” and fight in prayer for others facing spiritual battles.
• See your hardships as potential opportunities for testimony and service to others.
• Continually renew your dedication and passion for God, allowing it to grow and spread in your life and through your actions.

Books and Resources Mentioned:

• The Bible by various authors