identity

It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.” 2 Corinthians 1:21–22

I had just picked up my bag from the airport carousel and started wheeling it away when a frantic lady came chasing after me. “You have my bag!” she was saying again and again. I thought she was crazy. It was my bag. “Ma’am, I’m sorry,” I said to her when she caught up with me. “This is my bag.”

“Open it up,” she said.

I did. It was her bag. 

Our bags were identical. 

I mistook her bag for mine because I didn’t check the ID tag.

The Bible tells us that God has put his ID tag on us as believers, which says, “Property of Jesus Christ.” And that ID tag is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Because God has put his ID tag on you and me, we’re under His protection. So, we don’t have to be afraid of what the Enemy will do. We need to be aware of it and stay alert, but we don’t have to be afraid.

The good news is that on the cross, Jesus defeated Satan. Yes, the Devil can still tempt you. He can still hassle you or strike at you. Even the apostle Paul talked about how he was buffeted by the Enemy 2 Corinthians 12:7.

But the Devil can never overcome you. 

He can never overpower you. 

And he can never possess you. Because you’ve put your faith in Jesus Christ. You’re under new management, and the Devil knows that.

God is on your side.

-greg laurie