Identity in Christ – Smith For Christ Blog

Bible Exposition, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity in Christ, Leadership & Character, Prayer & Devotion, Spiritual Disciplines, Walking in Holiness

Beloved

By Eddie / March 16, 2026 / Leave a Comment / Bible Exposition, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity in Christ, Leadership & Character, Prayer & Devotion, Spiritual Disciplines, Walking in Holiness

Living from the love of God is a transformative journey. Francis Chan’s ‘Beloved’ unveils the foundational truth: You are loved by God, not earned through performance. This understanding reshapes identity, behavior, and endurance in suffering. Insecurity often drives people to compare and perform for approval, but Scripture teaches that God’s love is initiated by His own efforts. Revelation of God’s love, demonstrated in Christ’s sacrifice, shifts the narrative from fear to faith. By embracing this truth, believers can overcome insecurity and experience a life overflowing with God’s love.

Bible Exposition, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity in Christ, Prayer & Devotion, Spiritual Disciplines, Walking in Holiness

Soul Care Principle #4: Forgiveness

By Eddie / February 7, 2026 / Leave a Comment / Bible Exposition, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity in Christ, Prayer & Devotion, Spiritual Disciplines, Walking in Holiness / biblical teachings, emotional healing, forgiveness, grace, Prayer, relational harmony, Scripture, soul health, spiritual-growth, theology

Forgiveness is more than a virtue; it’s essential for soul health, akin to oxygen for the spirit. Unforgiveness poisons the soul, creating barriers to healing and grace. Discover how forgiveness, as a central spiritual act, can restore harmony and circulation in your life.

Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity in Christ, Spiritual Disciplines, Walking in Holiness

Love That Marks a Disciple

By Eddie / February 4, 2026 / Leave a Comment / Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity in Christ, Spiritual Disciplines, Walking in Holiness / command, cross, discipleship, fear, grace, humility, love, obedience, pride, Scripture

In the upper room, with the cross only hours away, Jesus delivers a profound message: Love is a command, not a feeling, and a pattern that defines discipleship. As Judas departs, leaving darkness in motion, Jesus speaks of glory, obedience, and love. This moment, on the brink of suffering, defines love most clearly. Love is foundational, not optional. Discover how this command transcends comfort and reveals where pride, fear, and self-protection rule. Love patterned after the cross becomes the evidence of His life, teaching, and Spirit remaining active in us.

Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity in Christ, Leadership & Character, Spiritual Disciplines

153 Fish and an Unbroken Net

By Eddie / January 27, 2026 / Leave a Comment / Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity in Christ, Leadership & Character, Spiritual Disciplines / 1-peter, 11, fisherman, John 21:11, John 5:1-11, john-21, Luke 5:1-11, miracle, Peter, unbroken

In the quiet aftermath of Jesus’ resurrection, John recounts a pivotal moment where Peter and his disciples return to the sea, only to find their nets brimming with an astonishing catch of 153 large fish. This deliberate detail underscores John’s narrative artistry, highlighting the profound symbolism of abundance and divine promise. As the nets remain unbroken, readers are invited to explore the deeper theological insights woven into this seemingly simple scene.

Authority, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity in Christ

Luke 9 — Following Jesus When the Definitions Change

By Eddie / January 27, 2026 / Leave a Comment / Authority, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity in Christ / authority, comfort, control, counterintuitive truth, daily self-denial, dependence, directional faith, discipleship, faithfulness, following Jesus, God's sustainance, humility, identity, integrity, Luke 9, obedience, power, reflection, responsibility, safety nets, security, supplies, surrender, theoretical faith, uncomfortable truths, vocation

In Luke 9, Jesus challenges us to trade our modern notions of power and security for a life of humility and obedience. As followers, we’re invited to embrace self-denial and dependence on Him, rather than seeking comfort in familiar doctrines. This call to action is not optional; it’s a demand for true discipleship that reshapes our identity. Will you step out on faith, trusting in Jesus’s authority even when it lacks visible guarantees?

Bible Exposition, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity, Identity in Christ, Identity Series, Revelation

Hidden Now, Revealed Then — Identity That Survives the End of the World

By Eddie / January 12, 2026 / Leave a Comment / Bible Exposition, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity, Identity in Christ, Identity Series, Revelation / economically pressured, faithful, faithfulness, identity, marginalized, obedience, Revelation, slandered, spiritually exhausted, suffering

In Revelation, God declares identity beyond worldly recognition. It speaks to believers enduring pressure, offering clarity in their lives. Discover how their faithfulness and obedience are honored in Christ alone.

Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity, Identity in Christ, Identity Series, Perseverance

Identity on Trial — Who You Are When the World Gets to Define You

By Eddie / January 12, 2026 / Leave a Comment / Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity, Identity in Christ, Identity Series, Perseverance / acts, bible, christianity, conversion, Faith, God, identity, Paul, trial, world

Identity is most affirmed at the Jordan River, yet challenges arise in Jerusalem and beyond. Discover how God’s declaration of identity stands firm even under pressure. Explore Acts’ profound lesson on enduring faith.

Christ, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Father, God Speaks, Identity in Christ, Identity Series

True Identity Declared — Identity Comes from God, Not Experience

By Eddie / January 12, 2026 / Leave a Comment / Christ, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Father, God Speaks, Identity in Christ, Identity Series / baptism, bible, christianity, declaration, Faith, God, identity, jesus, matthew, Scripture

Discover the truth: Identity is not shaped by personal experiences but declared by God. This foundational shift transforms faith and resilience.

Acts, Bible Exposition, Christ, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity, Identity in Christ, Revelation

True Identity: From Christ to the Church to Glory

By Eddie / January 12, 2026 / Leave a Comment / Acts, Bible Exposition, Christ, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Identity, Identity in Christ, Revelation / biblical doctrine, biblical-theology, christ's identity, christology, early church identity, faith and identity, identity crisis, identity in scripture, revelation theology, scripture and identity

Discover the biblical foundation of identity, where God declares who we are beyond our struggles and expectations.

Anxiety, Depression, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Hope, Hopeless, Identity in Christ

Faithful in the Fog: What to Do When God Doesn’t Remove the Darkness

By Eddie / January 12, 2026 / Leave a Comment / Anxiety, Depression, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Hope, Hopeless, Identity in Christ / bible, christianity, darkness, depression, Faith, faithfulness, God, grace, hope, obedience, Prayer, repentance, spirituality, struggle, theology

Faithful in the Fog: Discover how depression can actually deepen your faith when God doesn’t lift the darkness.

Dependency, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Humility, Identity in Christ, Perseverance, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering

Why God Rarely Removes Struggle — Even When He Could

By Eddie / January 12, 2026 / Leave a Comment / Dependency, Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, Humility, Identity in Christ, Perseverance, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering / dependence, Faith, faithfulness, God, hope, humility, Prayer, silence, strength, struggle

In the quiet struggle of unanswered prayers, believers find themselves at a crossroads of faith and doubt. Discover why God’s silence is not absence, but a pathway to deeper trust and resilience.