Are you under the "Performance Trap" ?

 Today, many of the issues in an individual's life stem from one primary area of understanding which is ; his/her identity. When you realize who you are before God's eyes, you will stop trying to be who you are not. The devil has used his age-long trick from the very beginning of creation. Unfortunately, to his demise, many are being set free from this by the powerful truth and emphasis on identity in these last days. When Adam was created, God said "Let us make man in our own image." Now, when Adam was created, note that according to God's words, he was already in God's very own image and likeness. However, when the serpent came to deceive Adam & Eve, he said "If you eat of this fruit, you will become like gods." Notice how the devil puts the emphasis on DOING something in order to BECOME someone? when God actually says He has already made them in His likeness? 

In today's context, if we say that our 5 hours of praying, 30 days of fasting or 7 hours of Bible reading is going to "qualify us" to commune with God longer or make us feel like we are "more right" with God, then I'm afraid, regardless of how sincere or noble the reasons may be, the crafty serpent has made us misplace our focus on doing than identity. 

If we are to approach the Throne of Grace in the basis of these reasons that sounds sincere and noble, then we are standing in a shaky foundation because if the next day or in any of the days if you don't pray as many hours as you did, fasted as many days as you did last time or read the Word as many hours as you did previously, the devil then uses that to accuse you, giving a place to his condemnation and guilt. Now, that's shaky foundation but if we approach the Throne Of Grace in the basis of the perfect and pure blood of Jesus Christ that cries out who we are in Him, then that's the unshakable foundation of Christ, the solid Rock! 

We are called to be human BEINGS, not human DOINGS. We usually identify ourselves in what we do, rather than who we are. It's time for a change on how we perceive this. The beautiful thing bout the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, the Gospel tells you who you are in Christ and then it tells you, walk it out as you grow in holiness and sanctification. However, the desire to grow in holiness, purity and sanctification comes from a place of knowing who you are in Christ, first! I can't afford to put the cart before the horse. There is no point in telling or shouting at a train to move if it doesn't have the proper fuel or energy to move. The catalyst to a lifestyle of purity is knowing who you are in Christ! 

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — Colossians 1:21-22 (NKJV)

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption - 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV)

Christ is my holiness! Christ is my righteousness, Christ is my redemption and Christ is my wisdom!