John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

I think it is important here to recognize our role as believers and that it is Jesus who defines our place in this relationship. Jesus said we must come to Him as babes. Being born again we are babes in Christ.

Galatians 4 tells us we are under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the Father. The implication is that we are to grow and as we grow in Christ how we see ourselves in our roles in this relationship will change as God wills.

Being in the will of God determines those roles but without the relationship we will not know what those roles are and the responsibilities that come with it. If we see ourselves to be more than exactly what we are, we are choosing what we want to do and act out of selfish desires.

This is why it is important to have fellowship with believers who have gone through this process before you. They will recognize the gifts in you before you might even be aware of them yourselves. It is in the assignment of service that your heart is revealed. Then as you grow in Christ, Jesus calls you no longer servant and entrusts you as a friend to know what plans the Father has for you.

Ephesians 4:15-17 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

The Father and the Son, being One, work together to accomplish one will.

This is the essence of who Jesus Christ is when He was in the world ministering to the world. He served the will of God in being the atoning sacrifice to remove sin as a barrier to relationship with God the Father. Once He accomplished that goal He took on another role, seated at the right hand throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus has moved on. Where does that leave me? What is my identity now?

Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Am I seated with Christ on the right hand throne? I have a hard time seeing myself that way, but this is scripture and true even if I cannot see myself that way. What if I could see myself as seated in Christ on the right hand throne? That is the hand of power. Would that affect how I treated others?

Yesterday I said that how I see myself influences how I act. Sinner I sin. Son of adoption, I might feel like an outsider or I could feel special. If I see myself as a servant I might always be judging my performance, or not.

I have a gift, a calling. Is what I do who I am? Do I have the right to call myself anything since the gift was given? Some do, some don’t and others don’t even give it a second thought.

Did you answer the question for yourselves?