Theological Commentary: Click Here
Discipleship Focus: Identity
- Identity: Our true identity comes from the Father. Only when our identity comes from God can we be obedient in ways that satisfy our person to our core.
Zephaniah
is a book that starts in a very foreboding manner. Almost the entire first chapter is a warning
of judgment. The judgment that is
predicted is incredibly harsh. When you
read through these words, there is little reason to hope and even less avenue
to look for a way to escape.
The
identity of God is righteousness. The
identity of His people is not rooted in righteousness. This is why judgment is coming. God’s own people have an identity that is not
only not coming from God, it is utterly incongruous with God. Because of this, great judgment will come
upon the people.
How do we
know that it truly is their identity that has God upset with them? We know that they have sinned against the
Lord. Zephaniah 1:17 tells us as
much. But look at the specifics that
Zephaniah 1:18 gives to us. Neither
their silver nor their gold will be able to save them. The fire that comes from the Lord is a fire
of jealousy. The Lord is a jealous
God. When our identity comes from things
other than Him, we invoke His wrath.
<><
No comments:
Post a Comment