While identity theft is rampant it is not new. In Isaiah 14 we read about Lucifer, who sometime in the ancient past said, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”
Perhaps Lucifer didn’t want to take over God’s persona as much as he just wanted to usurp God’s power and place. Actually God would not have minded Lucifer taking over God’s persona. Then Lucifer would become the kindest, most unselfish being ever created. God wants us to so absorb His presence in our minds we could easily be mistaken for Him. Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: . .”
Wouldn’t it be grand if people mistook us for Jesus? I guess I am not talking about identity theft. You can’t steal something someone gives you. When we awaken in the morning surely God says, “Roger’s awake. Now what can we arrange today that will build his character? It might be painful and trying but the results will be marvelous. If he understood what was happening he wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Written by Roger Bothwell on June 8, 2017
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