Radiating Divine Light

April 15, 2025

We are called to shine brightly, bringing hope, healing, and transformation to those who are in darkness.

Today, let's embrace our divine identity as children of God. This isn't just about feeling spiritually uplifted; it's about recognizing who we truly are in Christ and living from that position of authority. Prepare to be transformed as we explore powerful biblical truths that will illuminate your path and elevate your spiritual walk.

The Enemy's Strategy

The enemy has one consistent strategy: to bend us down. Just as we see in Luke 13, where a woman was bound for 18 long years, bent over and unable to stand straight, the enemy wants to keep us in a position of weakness and defeat. He wants us to be the tail, not the head. He desires to see us bowed down, burdened by life's challenges, never standing in our full stature in Christ.

But when Jesus encountered this woman, He did something remarkable. He didn't just heal her physical condition; He restored her identity:

"When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, 'Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.'" - Luke 13:12

Jesus called her "daughter of Abraham," reminding her of her covenant relationship with God. In that moment, she was not just physically straightened but spiritually realigned with her true identity.

Choose Life

God has always placed before us a fundamental choice:

"This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live." - Deuteronomy 30:19

When faced with blessing and curse, life and death, God's instruction is clear: choose life! Choose blessing! This isn't just a suggestion; it's the pathway to experiencing God's best for our lives.

Some may ask, "Why do you always focus on blessings and not curses?" The answer is simple: I read my portion of the Bible. In Christ, we have inherited blessings, not curses.

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us... so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles." - Galatians 3:13-14

Participating in Divine Life

Rather than rejoicing in God's presence, Adam and Eve chose independence. From the very beginning, it has always been about choosing between life and death. God's instruction to Adam to eat from the Tree of Life is still applicable today. Jesus died on a tree so that we could live, inviting us to participate in His divine life.

We must boldly declare:

"I will worship the Lord my God, and Him only will I serve. I will choose life. I will choose healing. I will choose blessing. I will trust the identity He has given me."

The same identity was given to Adam and Eve, but when Satan questioned it, they fell. When God called Jesus "My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," and the enemy came to test Him, Jesus stood firmly in His identity. He knew who He was and refused to compromise.

Standing in Your Identity

When Jesus was in the wilderness, the enemy tested His identity. Three times Satan began with "If you are the Son of God..." attempting to make Jesus doubt who He was. But Jesus stood firm in His identity, responding with the truth of God's Word.

Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He would bow down and worship him:

"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" - Matthew 4:9-10

The enemy wanted Jesus to bow down, just as he wanted the woman in Luke 13 to remain bent over. But Jesus refused to compromise. He knew who He was and Whom He served.

The Difference Between Two Adams

In the Garden of Eden, God gave the first Adam authority to rule over creation. He was created in God's image, with the capacity to choose life. But when tempted, Adam failed to stand in his identity.

Jesus, the last Adam, faced similar temptation but responded differently. When God called Him "My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," Jesus held fast to that identity. When challenges, trials, and temptations came, Jesus remained strong because He knew He was loved by God.

Do you see the difference? The first Adam fell when his identity was questioned, but the last Adam stood firm.

Light in Darkness

Through Christ, we are now reconnected to the presence of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are surrounded by and filled with divine presence. We are connected to Zoe life God's own life flowing through us.

"The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." - Matthew 4:16

That light came through Jesus, and now you and I have become the light. Wherever you go, you bring illumination to dark places. When you walk into regions shadowed by death, you release life because you carry the presence of God.

When you understand your identity in Christ, knowing you are God's beloved child in whom He is well pleased you will overcome darkness with light. You will speak God's Word over sickness, and light will shine. You will declare God's promises over hopeless situations, and darkness will flee.

Conclusion

Today, embrace your true identity as a child of God. You are not meant to be bent over by life's challenges but to stand tall in the authority Christ has given you. You are created in God's image, anointed with His Spirit, and blessed with every spiritual blessing.

You are called to arise and shine because the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. You are transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. You are positioned to overcome, to be the head and not the tail, to go up and not down.

Remember, you are not who the enemy says you are. You are who God says you are His beloved child, delighted in, empowered, and called to shine His light in this world.

Reflect on This

1. In what areas of your life have you allowed the enemy to bend you down, and how can you stand tall in your identity in Christ today?

2. How might your life change if you consistently chose to focus on God's blessings rather than dwelling on curses or negative circumstances?

Prayer

Father, I thank You that I am Your beloved child in whom You are well pleased. I declare that I will not bow down to the enemy's tactics but will stand tall in the identity You have given me. I choose life and blessing today. I am the head and not the tail, going up and not down. Your light shines through me, dispelling darkness wherever I go. I am surrounded by Your presence—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and connected to Your divine life. Thank You that You lift my head and bestow glory upon me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Key Takeaways

• The enemy wants to bend us down, but God wants to lift us up and restore our true identity as His children.

• We have been given a choice between life and death, blessing and curse—God instructs us to choose life.

• Jesus stood firm in His identity when tempted, showing us how to respond to the enemy's attacks.

• Through Christ, we are connected to the Triune God and have become carriers of His light in dark places.

• We are called to arise and shine, standing tall in our God-given authority rather than bowing to circumstances.

  
  

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To dive deeper into this powerful message, watch the full sermon on our YouTube video below.