James 2:23 King James Version (KJV) And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Forgive my trying to be clever here with associating imputed with impudent. I am concerned at this moment with attitudes which can arise from being overly familiar with our thrice holy God.

I am speaking from experience right now. I have been arrogant at times which is off putting. While I am ashamed to admit it, I must be honest in my assessment of my own behaviors. At this time I do not personally know anyone with this problem.

I do however perceive some who have a very comfortable relationship with our Lord. Comfortable is a relaxed position and a position that is not always on guard against the craftiest tactics of our enemy.

What if I were to say that Abraham was given credit for being righteous? Credit is not a position of earning, it is indebtedness. The ESV uses the words “it was counted to him as righteousness”.

Getting overly familiar with our Lord can lead to an attitude that sounds a little like this. “You know I love you.” It tends to assume rather than show love by words and deeds. I loathe the term pew potato because it assumes contentment without activity. We might be seen as pew potatoes if we get complacent about having done enough. That is an ugly image.

 While I do believe in improving our relationship with our Lord I also recognize that He defines the limits. It is not that we will ever stop growing in the Christ. The roots determine the strength of a tree and not the branches.

Jeremiah 29:2 English Standard Version (ESV) This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem.

We will conclude this series on emotional needs with identity. The list above are titles, roles, jobs, and skills. Are you what you do?

Each one of us has to make a determination of who we are at the core of our being. The driving force to excel is found in our identity. A lack of drive is tied to that same self-worth. Am I a good person? Am I a wretch? Am I honest about who I am? Do I even know who I am?

We are more than the sum of our parts. We are more.

Romans 8:37 English Standard Version (ESV) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

We may have found our identity in the world but having accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, have we discovered who we are in Christ? While we may still have a worldly title, once we enter into the Kingdom of God our identity and roles are no longer ours to determine.

Ephesians 4:8 English Standard Version (ESV) Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

Ezekiel 36:26 English Standard Version (ESV) And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

A new heart means we are changed at the core of our being. We care differently. The gifts we are given in this new identity are meant to glorify God and not ourselves.

Do we see ourselves as God sees us?