Security in Christ
When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:13-14
God is shaking the foundations of this world. Nations are rising and falling, uniting and dividing—and at a pace never observed before. Every day we hear of another country or region suffering political chaos, and many more that are suffering from economic insecurity. During the twentieth century alone, the population in the world has grown from 1.6 billion to 7 billion people. Of all the people who have ever lived on earth, one half are alive today.
However, while the population is exploding, our natural resources are decreasing. This trend cannot continue without serious ramifications for our overcrowded planet. Consequently, there is a growing sense of insecurity all over the world. People are insecure because they are depending on temporal things over which they have no right or ability to control. Yet in the midst of ensuing conflicts, we have a Shepherd who will guide us even through the valley of the shadow of death (see Psalm 23:4).
Our security is rooted in eternity and not to the temporal and transitory things of this world. We are secure in Christ, and our security is found in our eternal relationship with Him. No one can snatch us out of our heavenly Father’s hand (see John 10:35-39), and nothing can separate us from the love of God (see Romans 8:35-39). We were marked in Christ with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance (see Ephesians 1:13-14). It is inevitable that we will have conflicts in this world, but in the midst of them we can have a sense of security.
Those who have a high regard for relationships and want to accomplish something seek to resolve conflicts. Others yield to the opposition for the sake of relationships if their need to achieve isn’t that great. Those who have a high need to achieve but a low regard for relationships strive to win the battle. Those who have no regard for relationships and no desire to achieve simply withdraw when conflicts arise.
Secure people are those who seek to resolve conflicts or yield for the sake of relationships. This is because security is found in relationships, not in achievements. Growing up, you probably felt secure in your family if relationships were valued over achievements. Secure individuals don’t always have to be right and win every time there is a conflict, nor do they walk away from meaningful relationships. They have found their security in their eternal relationship with God and in their relationships with others. They are fulfilling the Great Commandment, which is to love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.
questions to consider
What situations and events in our world today make people feel insecure?
What is the value of having an eternal perspective on life?
How should Christians respond to external and temporal conflict?
Considering the diagram above, how did your mother respond to conflict? How did your father respond to conflict? Which one are you most like?
What was valued the most in your upbringing: achievement or relationship? How has that impacted you?
Neil T. Anderson is the founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries. He began the ministry in 1989 and continues to spread the message of freedom to this day.