City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

Matthew 16:17-18 MSG

Enemy-occupied territory—that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage. When you go to church you are really listening-in to the secret wireless from our friends: that is why the enemy is so anxious to prevent us from going.

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Book 2, Chapter 2, The Invasion

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s verses from the Gospel of Matthew and our classic C.S. Lewis quote reveal a secret kingdom hidden in plain sight! God’s Kingdom! Additionally, the church is portrayed as robust and expansive, built on the very foundation of our revelation of who God is–Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). 

C.S. Lewis also rightly describes this world as “enemy-occupied territory.” The way of this world is at odds with God’s ways. The way of the world may appear to be right, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). 

However, in God’s “upside-down” Kingdom, the way is often counter-intuitive. For example, the way up is down. The first will be last. You are blessed when you cheerfully and freely give of your resources instead of hoarding them. You are to love your enemies and go the extra mile. 

Understanding who we are in Christ and following the way of God’s Kingdom is like waking up to reality, to an eternal truth that stands strong even when everything else is shaking. One of my favorite movies to describe this concept is Inception. In the movie, the characters show us the difficulty of trying to get someone to believe something from the inside out, yet that is exactly what God has done with His Kingdom citizens. He’s awakened us to who we really are and were always meant to be. 

Application

Have you struggled with embracing your identity in Christ and following God’s ways? If so, you’re not alone. It’s a lifelong journey of discovery that builds as we learn to trust God more and more. 

Today, take some time to study and meditate on who you are “in Christ.” Open your Bible to the Book of Ephesians and underline or highlight everywhere it says “in Christ” or its equivalent. Absorb the truth of who you are in Christ Jesus. Make it your reality! 

Prayer

Father God, I pray Ephesians 1:7-10 over my life: In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Lord it’s such a delight to know You and to be known by You. Have Your way in my life. In Jesus Name, Amen.