Several years ago I came across Dr Solomon’s book, Handbook to Happiness, in a Christian bookstore. Something in the book resonated with me and gave me hope—and that was the message of the cross. I had been a Christian for many years but I had never heard the message of our identification with Christ. I knew that Christ died for my sins but I didn’t know that I, my old man, also died; that I was not in Adam anymore but now my roots went back to the cross. I didn’t need to be enslaved in patterns of anxiety and fear because in Christ I am now a new creature.

One day, I looked up the GFI website and I noticed that they offered personal discipleship in the truths of the cross, and I had a desire to walk through them with someone else who also made them a priority. That’s how I met Cheryl. Together we went through the Life in Christ notebook over a period of 5 months.

Although many of the truths weren’t new to me because of the books I had read previously, the discipleship process helped me understand how to practically put the truths into practice on a daily basis. During the process I learned, in a deeper measure, how to walk after the Spirit and allow Christ to live His life in and through me.

I grew up experiencing a lot of rejection in my earlier years. I learned a lot of coping mechanisms to get by in life. I was always looking outside of myself to meet my needs for love and acceptance, particularly looking for approval from man. I was always wondering if I was “good enough.” I was always striving to measure up to be approved. I saw God a lot like I did my natural father—someone who was there, but was really disinterested and uninvolved.

During this discipleship process I got a new awareness of God as the loving perfect Father He is. I have seen what I already have in my spirit—the in Him realities … not because of my performance, but because of what Christ did for me on the cross. Since I believed, I am now in Christ.

I have seen my particular patterns of my flesh in a new way. I now have the choice to choose whether to walk after old patterns to meet my needs for security and acceptance, or relinquish them and trust Christ to be my Source for everything that I need. It is a moment-by-moment choice of yielding to His Spirit as my Life, as Galatians 2: 20 says, no longer I but Christ. It is a walk of faith moment-by-moment.

As I have been walking with Christ as my Life, in what I have learned in the course [Life in Christ: A Personalized Discipleship Notebook], I am progressively walking in a new level of peace and rest. I am experiencing my value that I have in God—not because of my performance, but because of His performance. I am seeing my acceptance in the Beloved in a deeper measure. I don’t feel I have to strive to meet my needs, but I can rest in what He has already given me in Christ.

I have learned truths and practical ways to walk them out everyday that I will be putting into practice for the rest of my life. This course has helped solidify the truths of the cross in my heart. I know, as I choose to abide in Him, my life will bear much fruit for His honor and glory.

Thank you to my Guide for her commitment and love in walking with me through this process and always being there to help me in any way she could. I am very grateful.

Patty
Canada
November, 2024