New Identity Magazine

Who’s Really “Lost”?

Scott Limkeman — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 21:47:59 +0000

The term “the lost” is a common term that Christians use to refer to anyone who has not committed their life to following Jesus. At its best, it is a descriptive term that implies deep compassion for someone who does not yet know the God of the universe. At its worst, it can be perceived or even intended as an exclusionary term that implies an “us versus them” mentality. The biblical source of…

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “DWELL” WITH GOD?

Allen Reynolds — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 00:09:05 +0000

Photo Credit: fabrice | Flickr (Creative Commons) To dwell is to be fully present in a place or with a person. God has dwelled among his people throughout the Bible, from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation. Dwell can also mean to “settle in” or “engage with” someone other than oneself. Christians usually use this word to describe two situations. God “dwelling” with his people and…

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO REBUKE?

Ramon Mayo — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 21:26:24 +0000

Photo Credit: Juanedc.com | Flickr (Creative Commons) If you hang around certain Christians you may hear the word “rebuke.” It’s a tough word so not everyone uses it. It’s one of those words you can use to muscle your way around spiritually. A rebuke is simply a sharp form of criticism or disapproval. It’s basically a biblical way to say that this is not cool and needs to stop now.

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SOLD OUT

Ramon Mayo — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 15:10:43 +0000

Photo Credit: Corpuzzle | Flickr (Creative Commons) If I said you were a sell out you would probably be insulted. No one wants to be called a sell out but in the right context that could be the highest compliment. Usually when we talk about someone selling out, it’s a negative thing. It means they have given up their convictions and principles for some temporary reward or compensation.

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ANOINTED

Ramon Mayo — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 18:53:40 +0000

Photo Credit: Bethan Phillips | Flickr (Creative Commons) The word anointed sounds super strange. It’s not an ordinary word that we use today. In fact, outside of church, it is hardly ever said. It kind of sounds like ointment and kind of sounds like appointed. Actually, anointed is kind of related to both of these words although they are not connected on the language level.

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SANCTIFIED

Ramon Mayo — Mon, 16 May 2016 19:43:29 +0000

Photo Credit: grazie davvero | Flickr (Creative Commons) Sanctified comes from the Latin word sanctus. Sanctus basically means holy or set apart. So when Christians use the word sanctified they are basically talking about being set apart for God and his purposes. In the Old Testament, being ‘set apart’ was extremely difficult for the average Israelite, let alone anyone else. There were 613 (by…

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FAVOR

Ramon Mayo — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 20:40:10 +0000

Photo Credit: Sergiy Vynnychenko | Flickr (Creative Commons) Favor is usually given because of something we can offer or some innate quality we possess. Maybe someone gives you favor at work and you get a promotion or a raise. Maybe a restaurant manager shows you favor in order to win more of your business. It seems mysterious when you take into account all the factors that could persuade…

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ACCEPTING CHRIST

Ramon Mayo — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 16:45:31 +0000

Photo Credit: Jonathan Kos-Read | Flickr (Creative Commons) Many people accept that Christ existed. Many people accept that he died. Still others accept not only that he died but that he rose again and that he is God. Many would accept his existence and the facts about his life much like they accept that the world is round and spins on an axis or that you always lose at least one sock in the…

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WASHED IN THE BLOOD

Ramon Mayo — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 21:09:31 +0000

There are certain phrases that should give you chills. Some things are automatic stomach churners. One string of words that should cause an immediate negative reaction simply does not have the effect you think it would among followers of Jesus. The phrase: “Washed in the blood.” If someone came up to you and said they were “washed in the blood,” you would probably back away and hope they don’t…

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Prodigal

Ramon Mayo — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 22:22:32 +0000

Prodigal is a foreign word to our ears. It means “overwhelmingly wasteful.” If you have ever been in church circles, the word may conjure up an image of a young man in tattered rags. “Prodigal” may also bring to mind a person who has gone astray from faith in God, one who for whatever reason is no longer following Jesus. This is because the word is associated with a story Jesus told in Luke 15:11…

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