Original Innocence
I lived in Guatemala at 19, grappling with questions about life's meaning and holding an aversion to Christianity. Yet, I found myself at a Bible study in a McDonald's. I was there at the invitation of a wonderful group of Americans, also living in Guatemala for various reasons. I wanted nothing to do with the Bible study, but the prospect of eating a Big Mac while speaking English was enough to get me there week after week.
One of the group members handed me C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity. It was a transformative read. It challenged my mind and heart to open up to the possibility of God’s existence. The concept of time that C.S. Lewis describes in the book still fascinates me—God sees all time, from yesterday to tomorrow, as now. Like a line drawn on a page, we are stuck in linear moments, A, then B, then C. But God is above and outside of time and sees all of it (the whole line) as “now.” It’s not just that God is outside of time, but that time is inside of God.
Let’s delve into a topic that might just scramble our brains a bit—a concept that urges a shift from the idea of original sin to embracing our original design in Christ. Original innocence. This idea pushes us to reconsider what it truly means to be found in Christ.
Identity and Innocence in Christ
This timeline perspective reshapes how we view ourselves—not as mistakes needing correction but as beings designed from a place of love. The conversation around original sin is prevalent, but we propose focusing on original innocence. What if our origin in Christ precedes the existence of sin? Ephesians chapter one talks about how we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. God said, “Yes!” to humanity before humanity said, “No!” to Him.
Often, we fixate on “original sin” as the beginning of humanity’s story. Yet, scripture tells us we were chosen in Christ before time began—before sin even entered the picture. That means our origin is rooted in Christ’s love, not in sin. It’s a perspective shift that can change everything.
Rediscovering Partnership
I ponder how Jesus, in His incarnation, embraced humanity fully without separation from His divinity. We, too, share that unity in Him. Many of us believe the lie of separation, in large part because we feel distant from God. In truth, there's no separation except in our fallen mindset. That’s where Christ meets us. In our fallen mind and in our darkest moments, He assures us that He is with us. God's intention was always partnership—an "usness" with Him. Knowing we are intrinsically tied to Christ from our origin helps overcome the lie of separation and subsequent overwhelm of loneliness and abandonment.
How to Embrace Your True Identity in Christ
Reflection and Prayer: Spend time in contemplation, asking God to reveal what it truly means to be found in Him. Listen for His voice or feel His presence responding to you.
Scripture Meditation: Engage with passages like Ephesians 1 that affirm your identity in Christ. Let these truths transform your mindset.
Embrace Reconciliation: Understand that in Christ we are reconciled with God. What would it look like to live in that truth? To behave as though it were true. Let it shape how you perceive yourself and your actions.
Engaging in Community: Be a part of a community that speaks life and identity back into you. Share these truths and encourage one another.
Regular Contemplation: Set aside moments in your routine to meditate on your unity with God, acknowledging His constant presence with you. We might call this “practicing the presence of God,” but it is also “practicing the presence of true you.” The new you God made you to be in Christ.
Embracing our original design in Christ is not just a liberating idea; it’s foundational to living a life filled with peace, confidence, and purpose. A settled life from a settled identity.
Want to hear more? We encourage you to take a moment and listen to the Settled Podcast episode, “Being Found in Jesus Before Being Lost in Adam.” We unpack these themes in depth. Thank you for joining us on this journey.