knowing his identity

​Good morning. It’s going to be a great day and the sun will rise. As a recent speaker prompted us, don’t wait for the sunset enjoy the sunrise.  
 
Today I want to define the journey specifically for those who lose sight of the destination.  We have spoken many times about identity and how important it is for us to know our identity and our birthright. To identify where we are on the journey, we need to know the One we are headed to. The compass will show us the direction, but we must choose the right path. 
 
Jesus is called the Word (in the beginning was the word...). The Holy Spirit's identity is the Truth (As a guide(helper) on the journey He is the One that will lead and remind us). Finally, we need to know the Father's identity which is the end of the journey, and that He is Love. “1Jn 4:8 NET The person who does not love does not know God because God is love.” The father in the parable of the prodigal exemplifies what love looks like.  
 
So, to quickly review, The WORD through TRUTH guides us to LOVE.  This is our map to ensure we arrive safely at our destination.  Notice that our identity is important not only for the beloved but also for our God. If you don’t know Him, you do not have the map and therefore will get onto the wrong path.  
 
Several paths will take us off the course which are all dead ends. The path of confusion, the path of resentment, the path of isolation, the path of selfishness, the path of despair, the path of loneliness, the path of anger and frustration, and finally the path of un-forgiveness and hopelessness. Do any of these paths seem familiar?  I believe the writer was clear in that if we do not love we don’t know God.   
So, identity is key, His identity and ours.  Go back one verse.  “1Jn 4:7 NET Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been fathered by God and knows God.” Now I believe this makes the road map clear. We must love one another because if we do then we have identified with love and have been born of our Father.  Our last name now becomes the same as our Father…LOVE.  
 
The challenge today is do you know your Father and what is your last name? The legitimacy of your birth determines who you belong to. 
 
Second, are you being guided on the right path? You need a guide because you can’t make this journey without help. There are some steep places that you will need the Guide to pull you up otherwise you will fall.  Have you forgotten, like the prodigal, who your father is and what you have waiting at the end of the journey? Finally, do you have a map and a guide to lead you down the right path? Have a great weekend and remember Jesus loves you and so do I.  God bless you, my beloved.