Id: Discovering Your Identity (Past, Present and Future) Right in Your Own Bible

By Ron Craig

Of the multitude of crises prevalent in our modern world, one of the most widespread and destructive is the identity crisis. With hundreds of clashing cultures and religions flooding the planet, people are obviously searching for their real identity, but in actuality know not who they are! This book, based solely upon the Holy Bible, concerns our true identity, provides bona fide answers to the searching ones, and helps them locate themselves in life. Upon discerning themselves as they are at present, if they do not appreciate their current identity, the book then aids them in relocating themselves into a position that will make them truly free.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 24, 2009
• ISBN: 9781465326553

Ron Craig

I was called into the Gospel ministry in 1970, at the age of 25. I got a Bachelor of Arts degree and then attended a Charismatic Bible School. For twenty years now, I have been a home-church pastor, and have published 9 Christian books; and plan to keep writing. I also have two YouTube video channels, presenting more Bible-revelation truth.

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Copyright © 2009 by Ron Craig.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

All Scripture references are taken from the King James Version, unless otherwise noted. Within Scripture quotes, words in italics and/or all CAPITALS are the author’s emphases.

Rev. date: 10/15/2021

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CONTENTS

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Acknowledgements

First Words

Introduction

Part I— Adam’s identification with God: Luke 3:38

Chapter 1— Adam’s standing with God

Chapter 2— Adam’s blessings

Chapter 3— Restoration of the blessings

Part II— Adam’s Identification with Satan: John 8:44

Chapter 4— Adam united with Satan

Chapter 5— Satan’s selfish purposes

Chapter 6— Satan’s subtle strategies

Part III— Adam, the ancestor of all men: Romans 5:12

Chapter 7— The biblical case

Chapter 8— The historical evidence

Chapter 9— Human hopelessness

Part IV— Christ identified with Adam: Hebrews 2:14

Chapter 10—The historical reality

Chapter 11—The biblical details

Chapter 12—No longer identified with Adam

Part V— Our identification with Christ: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Chapter 13—Death to our old nature

Chapter 14—Our brand new life in Christ

Chapter 15—All things are ours in Christ

Part VI— From doctrine to experience: James 1:22-25

Chapter 16—Improper view of the how-to

Chapter 17—Legal and vital sides of redemption

Chapter 18—God’s eternal seed principle

Summary

Last Words

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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I acknowledge first of all Jesus Christ, Who is my Lord; and Who has given me the revelations contained within this book. I want next to thank my wife and all the other members of Living Way Fellowship for their sustained patience and support. I also wish to express appreciation to my son Brian for setting up my computer and then putting up with all my calls to him for help in learning how to use it in my writing projects. Finally, I thank my granddaughter Linley for getting an appropriate photograph of me for the back of this book cover, as well as Kevin Hale who designed the cover. May this work honor all of you!

FIRST WORDS

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Jehovah does not unveil to anyone His revolutionary biblical realities for the benefit of just one person alone. Scriptural truth targets everyone within the Body of Christ! In fact, every human being is the intended recipient. Nevertheless, the Lord’s church itself must first understand those scriptural realities before the world has any opportunity to hear about the redemption which is available only to those people who trust in Jesus Christ. The lost normally do not search for God, at least where He may be found (Romans 10:20). Thus, this world is in desperate need of heavenly wisdom, which may be discovered only within Deity’s Written Word, the Holy Bible; or through human beings who are familiar enough with God’s message to believe in it and live by it. Tragically, many Christians today are suffering from as great a lack of heavenly wisdom as is the lost world. The multitude of discrepancies between various branches of the many-splintered church magnifies the stark reality that they all cannot be right in every doctrine they preach and practice.

For more than thirty of my most recent years, the Savior has been putting me through Bible courses in Scripture University. During the early years of that period in my life I garnered only bits and pieces of some eternal realities, which I more recently discovered to be of supreme importance to the spiritual pulse of the Redeemer’s church. Only within these past few years have I discovered how those bits and pieces fit together to create what Paul labeled a whole-counsel-of-God theology; a term describing the lifestyle God wants for His people. Read Acts 2:40-47, 5:20, 9:2, 20:20, 27, 24:14 and Hebrews 10:20 to see what I mean.

The more I research Scripture, the more the message of this book is confirmed within me. Although my first book pertaining to Christian authority contains a message of vital importance to the church worldwide, I believe the subject matter in this work holds even more for the Body of Christ. My own in-depth study into the Christian’s identification with Christ has done more to enlighten my eyes to God’s will and intentions toward mankind than any other publication I have read outside Scripture itself. Of course, all of the conclusions within this book are based on and backed by a superabundance of Holy Scripture. That is why I gladly challenge every reader to look up all of the references. A good starting place is Acts 17:11-12.

In this book, I have utilized a number of sound principles of biblical comprehension to make sure all of my conclusions are accurate, as well as beneficial to every reader. Furthermore, the principles themselves have been derived from the Scriptures, or at least harmonize with Deity’s revealed character therein, and totally agree with the clear overall biblical message. Surely, you will concur that such a combination is hard to beat.

I fully carry out all of my arguments to their logical scriptural conclusions by providing two or more Scriptures that are in total agreement with one another pertaining to the subject at hand, and that do not conflict with any other clear biblical statement. That is known as biblical consistency. Moreover, I focus on who is doing the talking in any given passage, as well as the person being spoken to. These are just a few of the essential principles I have applied to ensure an accurate view of the gospel.

Some of the myriads of rewards for one’s diligent study and application of the teachings put forth in this volume include a radically altered mindset and worldview, a brand new freedom in the spirit to serve the Lord successfully, plus a never-before-experienced power over Satan. One will also discover his or her purpose for inhabiting earth, as well as learn how to cooperate with God in fulfilling it. The faithful disciple will then be able to shed the satanic shackles of religious tradition, which have kept so many people in bondage for so long. Is that within itself not worth the effort? The diligent will also be in a better position to help loved ones, neighbors and perhaps even a few enemies; as well as glorify the Savior in the process. Therefore, let us begin!

INTRODUCTION

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Never before in the history of God’s church has there existed such a combination of truth with error, gospel preaching along with manmade traditions, and the proclamation of Deity’s Word mingled with demonic doctrines! Check out 1 Timothy 4:1-2. On any given Sunday, in just about any city of the civilized nations on this earth, you can enter a building of one particular style of church architecture, take in a few minutes of Scripture reading spiced with a large portion of human error, quietly depart that building, go down the street a few blocks, enter another edifice boasting a completely different architectural style, and partake of a whole different menu of men’s ideas about life, and perhaps a few crumbs from God’s Holy Word. Although such conditions do not prevail in each and every church setting, the percentage of those occurrences is much too high. The Head of the church cannot be pleased that such hypocrisies dominate His church; and the Body of Christ certainly cannot afford to continue that downward spiral!

Those inconsistencies are both perpetrated and perpetuated by various religious establishments, each of which boasts that it possesses the best (and in many cases the only valid) pattern of governmental structure, church liturgy, community services and godly lifestyle. It matters not to some religious leaders that there exist so many differences among the various segments of the entity universally known as the Body of Christ. Keeping pet denominational programs intact is quite obviously much more important to such leaders than is building the kingdom of God and maintaining a consistent Christian witness!

Is it really any wonder that so many people who claim to be Christians are confused? And, should it be such a surprise to ecclesiastical leaders that the whole world merely laughs at the splintered church, and that the Adversary sees most churches as being of little threat to his dark kingdom?

Where does Jesus fit into this pitiful scenario? How many of our religious activities would our Savior dare to be involved in anyway: Maybe 50 %; perhaps no more than 10? Is it not in the realm of possibility for God’s own people to do things His way? Yes! It is possible, when we are willing to do things God’s way! What is the big secret of discovering Deity’s ways and learning how to walk in them? When all else fails, read the instructions! Of course, I refer to heavenly instructions—the Holy Bible. The primary purpose of this book is to point people to God’s Word.

God’s Book itself, however, is a mystery to many believers. The average professing Christian apparently assumes that only seminary graduates are qualified to comprehend and interpret the Scriptures. That is one big religious lie! Seminary graduates understand the Bible no more than anyone else. Yes, you read that statement correctly. Only those who are spiritually open to spiritual realities can understand spiritual realities; and that is the privilege of everybody living on the earth, not just seminary students. Neither does manmade higher ecclesiastical education produce genuine openness to spiritual reality. That quality has to originate within the hearts of individuals, must spring from a real-life encounter with the Christ, and may be possessed by people outside the classroom as well as inside it.

First Corinthians 2:12 tells us: " . . . we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might [spiritually] know the things that are freely given to us of God. Verse thirteen: Which things we also speak, not in the words which man’s [worldly or religious] wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost [Spirit] teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Because:  . . . it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard [Spiritual things cannot be perceived by natural senses.], neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for [all of] them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. No being can sneak up on Deity and abscond with His secret wisdom, for:  . . . the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." See 1 Corinthians 2:9-11. Therefore, it is clear that only those people who have a genuine, intimate relationship with their Savior can discern the Scriptures. Deity being He Who inspired men to write the Bible in the first place, in order for us to grasp the Bible’s secrets, we must get acquainted with Him Who inspired it. No man is able to bypass the divine system!

Because so much confusion concerning biblical truth exists within Deity’s church today, His own people desperately need a whole-counsel-of-God theology; one that offers Christians some dynamic spiritual stability within the Body of Christ, and which clarifies exactly what believers are to believe and practice. This book is one tool the Savior is using for that purpose. Stop right now and read Proverbs 2:7, 4:7 and 9:10.

However, before we can successfully practice New Testament Christianity, we must be able to discern what it means to be a Christian. There is just as much confusion regarding that area of scriptural reality today as there is any other! Whereas many claim we must be baptized with the proper formula to be saved, others demand that seekers unite with the proper branch of the church. I myself trudged through the wilderness wanderings of searching for that just-right denomination for years. Finally, my eyes were opened to the reality that redemption does not reside within denominations. True salvation is found and experienced only in Jesus Christ!

When the Lord unveiled to me how repentant sinners receive their salvation, that revelation altered my theological reasoning altogether. It brought about a total turn-around in my attitude concerning the realities of God and His Word. In fact, it was so revolutionary I knew I could not keep that good news to myself. I have to minister that life-changing revelation to as many other genuine seekers of truth as I possibly can; and I am convinced this book is one means of reaching that goal.

Although I do not have a patent on discerning biblical truth, I am holding out to the Body of Christ some powerful spiritual tools, by which believers may learn the primary message of the Holy Scriptures—what our redemption is really all about. Such weapons can also be used to ward off all of the enemy’s attacks against our every Christian endeavor. Praise God for that!

Before we get into the meat of this book’s message, however, let us take a look at one key principle of biblical comprehension; and the word key is the appropriate term to use. There is some key that unlocks every letter and book of the Bible. Sometimes, that key consists of multiple verses, but often only one word is the key to understanding some particular portion of Scripture. One case exemplifying that principle is John’s first letter. Now, some people contend the word love is the key which opens that little epistle; and I acknowledge that love is one recurring theme in it. Nevertheless, the key word granting a true understanding of John’s first letter is K-N-O-W. I must get to know God before I can truly love Him. John teaches that it is my knowing Deity’s love toward me which enables me to believe in His love for me, and to reciprocate in like kind (1 John 4:7-9, 16, 19). By coming to know God’s love for me, I begin to grasp the truth that I have been saved, that I have passed out of death into life, and that I genuinely love other Christian people (1 John 2:5, 3:14, 5:1-2). I also discover how to recognize true Christians and expose any hypocrites by taking that short Scripture course. The knowing must precede the loving! Such is the divine order. Also be sure to read John 17:3 and 1 John 4:20-21.

Another prime example that comes to mind is the book of Hebrews. The single word that unlocks that letter is better. We see in Hebrews that the New Covenant has far better sacrifices, promises, assurances and Mediator than did the Old Covenant. Thus, that one little key gives us a much better understanding of what the book of Hebrews is all about.

There is also one key verse that unlocks the purpose of the Bible itself, Deuteronomy 29:29. (Even the reference is easy for one to remember.) The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do [practice] all the words of this law. That simply indicates that if Deity does not reveal something there is no way man can find out about it. However, the things He does reveal He expects everyone to heed, because they are written to all. Such is not hard for the human mind to comprehend, but it is challenging to rebellious attitudes.

The reason I included the foregoing information is to lay the biblical foundation for the theme of this volume—Identification. Although the word identification does not appear in at least the King James Bible, the essence of it is written all over its pages. This subject is the key to our understanding of human nature, how this distorted world came to be in the first place, and what powers determine our destiny. Having the proper identification is vitally important in both the natural and spiritual realms.

The biggest crisis on this planet today is the identity crisis. Many people know not who they are; which is why so many of them wear tattoos and purple hair, and sport body piercings. I am not making light of such people, I am only pointing out the fact that many human beings are searching for something they believe exists, but have no idea how to find; many experiencing some weird lifestyles while stuck in the search mode. However, experiencing a living relationship with Jesus Christ solves those identity crises! Furthermore, saved people usually forsake their former outward vanities. Be bold enough to read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Colossians 3:5-11.

Nevertheless, the way a person enters into such a promising relationship is one of the confusing issues plaguing the modern church. It seems that this dilemma is a problem even for many devout Christians. Therefore, I perceive the primary reason our Savior has laid upon my heart the task of writing this book is that He desires to offer His biblical solution for that unpleasant reality to both the saved and unsaved; those people who desire to know God better but have no clue as to how to go about it.

So now, let us begin our journey down that gospel road, in order to discover who we really are; so that if we happen to not like who we are, we will know how to change our status!

Part I

Adam’s identification with God

Luke 3:38

Chapter 1—Adam’s standing with God

Chapter 2—Adam’s blessings

Chapter 3—Restoration of the blessings

CHAPTER ONE

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Adam’s standing with God

Although most believers have likely never thought about it, this chapter title unveils a most enlightening scriptural reality. I am speaking of Adam’s legal standing with his Creator. What does that mean, and what does it have to do with you and me? Everything! Adam is where you and I got off to a dynamic start. Being the first man, his state of existence as the first forefather of the human race has determined the original condition of every human being ever born on this planet! Thus, if Adam fared well in the beginning, and continued in that blessed state, then his descendants would continue to be blessed. However, if for some reason he lost his original standing with God, then reproducing after his own kind, Adam could only expect his offspring would be polluted just as he was. The Genesis principle of like parent like offspring, therefore, is of prime concern for all living things. See Genesis 1:12, 21, 24-28 and 5:3.

I am aware there are varying opinions about Adam’s nature before he sinned, and I know that some people are adamant in their views on this issue. However, I must point out some little-mentioned biblical realities regarding Adam’s original standing with God, and how his rebellion altered that relationship. I will then unveil the biblical plan to restore Adam and his family to their original state of well-being, and then some; all of which is based upon the biblical principle of identification. I believe each reader will be both enlightened and encouraged as we proceed.

One extreme view of man portrays Adam himself as a god, whereas the opposite end of the speculation spectrum sees little difference in Adam’s general make-up either before or after his fall. Some preachers actually imply that Adam was disposed to sin because of some moral flaw lodged within his nature. Such religious concepts result from the modern teaching on the total depravity of humankind. The proponents of that doctrine are so adamant in their thinking that they bring those distorted views over into their Christian experiences as well; claiming that even the spiritual new birth does not eradicate fallen human nature. Thus, it is easy to understand why the same people flirt with a distorted view of Adam’s original condition. The contention that even the sacrificial work of Christ upon the cross came short of abolishing man’s fallen, perverted nature, and fully reconciling him back to God, is only a step away from asserting that Adam had some moral flaw abiding within his personality even before he fell. Although you might not encounter that distorted view of Christianity on a regular basis, I have seen abundant evidence of its entrenched existence in the church.

Such a fatalistic view is oh-so-subtle and grossly dishonest. Through it, the devil has persuaded many believers to put the monkey on God’s back, so to speak; because if Adam’s original nature had a negative bent, then Deity was behind sin. Such a claim is nothing more than a humanistic excuse for continuing to live in sin. Dare to read Romans 5:17-21 and 6:1-2, 6.

Neither is it biblical to hold that Adam was some kind of god. That belief elevates mankind to a higher position than God did! Adam’s Creator did not announce, Let us create another god. He said, Let us make man. See Genesis 1:26. However, Adam was created in the very image of God; which means that Deity made man as much like Himself as He could possibly fashion a created being! Now think about this: The reality that Deity has always been Deity is at least one attribute that constitutes Him Deity. How, then, could God, Who has always been God, create some other being as God, even though that other being has not always existed? Deity is Deity from all eternity!

Because Adam was not created a god in the first place, then he will never become one. Adam was merely the highest form of creation up to that time. All new creatures in Christ are actually higher forms of creation than was Adam. How dare I say such a thing? Because when God touches something it gets better! For instance, Adam did not live in an immortal body. His body was neither mortal nor immortal. But, at least the final destination of Christians is immortality. Moreover, believers are now seated (in authority) at God’s right hand in the Christ (Ephesians 2:6). Adam never had such privilege. He did wield earthly authority, however; and he did walk with God on this earth (Genesis 3:8). God intended Adam to be the highest class of spiritual being so He could enjoy an intimate fellowship with him, plus be able to communicate with all the rest of creation through him. Because mankind could relate to both God and the material realm, then he would obviously be the natural go-between for God and the earth! Such was heaven’s original plan.

Although God has strictly prohibited adding to the Scripture any personal opinion regarding this or any other Bible subject (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19), certain Bible teachers insist that John 10:34-36, which quotes Psalms 82:6, declares that Adam himself was a god over this planet in the same sense that his Creator was God over all the heavens. However, Jesus merely quoted this Psalm to prove that in the light of the Old Testament Scripture His claim to be God’s Son was only reasonable. The eighty-second Psalm actually laments the fact that certain men who were in positions of judgeship in Israel had misused their political positions to oppress their own