Jason Love Albano (Born April 27, 1994) is dead.
During a mission trip to the Philippines, Jason Love Albano died. He was on his knees at the edge of a bamboo-made bed, and he cried out to God in the name of Jesus Christ to save his soul. He prayed for salvation, and God saw fit to give him death.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” -Galatians 2:20
During that humid summer evening, Jesus took everything that identified Jason and nailed it to the cross. On Golgotha over 2,000 years ago, Jesus absorbed everything that defined Jason and everything that separated him from an intimate relationship with God. He took every sin; past, present, and future. Every ounce of shame and regret. Every piece of bitterness and discontent-all of it was crucified with Christ and taken to the grave.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” – Romans 8:1
The next day, Jason Love Albano was baptized in some river deep in the jungle. It was a symbol that reflected Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. Jason was wholly submerged in the water and raised in new life. It was a public display of the end to Jason Love Albano–the liar, thief, adulterer, idolater, drunkard, addict, brute, sin-wrecked failure. Because Jesus rose from the grave, I was able to rise from the waters as a symbol of one who’s been made new. My identity is written in Jesus’ blood, and I am cloaked in his righteousness, being sanctified daily. Christ lives in me, therefore I must live for Him. Yes, I stumble and fall time after time, but I am raised to my feet by the Great Shepherd who calls me His own. I died, and I couldn’t be happier. God has given me my new identity.
I am Jason Love Albano:
A New Creation
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” -2 Corinthians 5:17
Child of God
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” –John 1:12
Friend of Jesus
“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” -John 15:15
Heir to God’s kingdom
“And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” –Romans 8:17
Conqueror (actually, more than that)
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” –Romans 8:37
Citizen of Heaven
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” –Philippians 3:20
Ambassador for Christ
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us” -2 Corinthians 5:20
I’m simply reflecting on the greatest gift that I have ever received-the gift of Jesus Christ. These titles are true for me because God has given me assurance through His unfailing Word. The reason that I’m sharing this post is because if you are saved, these truths apply for you as well. If you are like me and the burdens of life attempt to weigh heavy on your soul, then turn back to the truths written above. If you don’t have answers for the perplexing questions of your life and future, remember your identity. If you are abused and forsaken, remember your identity. If you are tempted and tried, remember your identity. If you are anxious and distressed, remember your identity. If you’re following the Holy Spirit’s leading and judgmental-hypocritical Christians are “losing respect for you,” remember your identity. Remember who you are. Remember who saved you. Remember the good work He began in you and remember (like the classic Steve Green song) that he will be faithful to complete it.
” Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” –Philippians 1:6
