According to Psalm 139, God’s plan for your life existed long before you did. That means God took into account every situation and circumstance that you would encounter not only this day, but all the days of your life. Your Heavenly Father loved you before you even knew there was a God and no one can argue Scripturally that God’s love for you has ever changed or ever will.
In contrast, the enemy of your soul has an entirely different plan for your life, to keep you in or bring you back to the pit that God brought you up out of. There are several reasons for satan to want to accomplish his goal. He is ticked off, not only for being evicted from heaven but for being utterly defeated by Jesus’ death on the cross. He knows his future is dim (see the Book of Revelation) and his ultimate desire is to get back at God any way he can. The only way the devil can hurt God is to hurt those whom God loves – you and me. He makes a daily effort to discourage you with negative thoughts, tempting you to sin and then condemning you afterwards to keep you in bondage. He tries to distract and deceive you so that you will never discover your true identity in Christ and begin to walk in the authority of the Kingdom you belong to. The sad part is that many believe the lies and settle for less than God’s very best.
In Zechariah 3, we see Joshua standing before a Holy God with filthy clothes, and satan standing nearby with vehement accusations against him. But instead of condemning Joshua, God openly rebukes satan on Joshua’s behalf. Then God orders a clean set of clothes for Joshua and sets a crown upon his head.
In our filthy attire, there was nothing you and I could do to make us presentable before a Holy God, so Jesus, Gods’ own Son, stood on our behalf before the Father, sinless and perfect to represent us. In a generous act of grace, He cleansed you, clothed you in spotless garments and even placed a crown on your head.
Crowns are not commonly seen because they are reserved for members of the royal family. But God declares in His word that through Christ, He adopted us and made us into a royal priesthood. He has crowned us with power and authority to represent His kingdom and His royal family.
Knowing and accepting your identity empowers you to stand and take authority, not only in your life but in the lives of others. If you feel accused and condemned, instead of running from God, run to God.
In Christ you are cleansed of all sin, clothed in righteousness (right standing with God) and crowned with power and authority. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Simply begin to walk in your identity and enjoy the inheritance that is yours in Christ. As you and I individually rise up and take our rightful place in Christ, God will use us corporately to bring leadership and influence to the earth at a time when the world needs Him most.