What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:31-39 [ESV]
In the movie, The Lion King, a young lion Prince, Simba, is cast out of his pride by his cruel uncle, Scar, who claims he killed his father. While the uncle rules with an iron fist, the prince grows up beyond the savannah. But when his past comes to haunt him, the young Prince must decide his fate: will he remain an outcast, or face his demons and become what he needs to be?
I think I can say that we can all relate to Simba. Simba had a purpose. He was to be ruling the land, not his evil uncle Scar. But Simba’s identity became lost, and he lived life far away from it while Scar made a mess of everything that belonged to him, to say the least.
You know, Simba’s story is alot like our own. We are full of purpose and calling, but there’s an enemy that wants to impose his rule and make us believe that we aren’t made for that purpose.
Scar wanted Simba to not assume his true identity and calling for his life. But Simba takes heart, and begins to walk in his identity.
The enemy doesn’t want us to know or assume our true identity. He wants us confused, doubtful and insecure; so that he can continue the havoc in and around our lives.
But when we believe and walk in our true identity, our true calling, and we begin to believe that “It’s not through me and my power, but through him” we begin to walk in the spirit of a Conqueror! And that attitude, that faith, that statement, simply messes up the enemy.
Scar was defeated, not because Simba was stronger and younger, but because he believed his identity. I am praying that as we launch in this new beginning, this new season, this new chapter that we take on this mindset. Let’s be ahead of the enemy and his tactics. When we stand in Christ, we stand in His victory, His strength.
The enemy wants you to believe you are a victim. That you cannot stand in the wake of life’s troubles. He wants you to think and believe that you are defeated.
But the truth is, he is talking about himself! He was defeated by Jesus on the cross! He cannot stand in the wake of God’s power and presence! We are more than conquerors because we are in Christ Jesus!
In Christ, you are more than a Conqueror! There’s a fierce lion when you look into the mirror. Walk in your true identity!
Amarillo For Christ Church 