Written for GanTV.com by host Doug Corbett
What is a Supernatural Life? Freedom
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” — Galatians 5:1
What does it mean to live a supernatural life? Some might assume religion holds the key, but in truth, many religions can trap us in a cycle of bondage, convincing us that we must constantly “do things for God.” In contrast, living a supernatural life is about breaking free from this religious bondage. The verse in Galatians sets the stage for this journey: “Christ has set us free.” Yet, despite this freedom, many of us remain burdened by a subtle form of slavery—religion itself. So, what exactly is religious bondage, and how do we break free to live a truly supernatural life?
Religious bondage is a mindset instilled by the belief that we must “do” in order to “be” — to be loved, to be accepted, to be good enough. It’s the belief that we must earn our place with God through performance and acts of righteousness. But, that’s not the truth of the gospel.
What Is Religion, Really?
Let’s begin by defining “religion” in this context. Religion, as I’m describing it, is any system, person, establishment, or church that teaches a performance-based approach to God — that you must earn God’s favor by doing certain things to be accepted by Him. Religion tells us that we are always striving, but never quite arriving.
For many years, this was my story. I’ve been a Christian for almost 40 years, but the first half of that journey was defined by trying to live up to a standard — to be “good enough” for God through my own efforts. And for a long time, I believed that my acceptance by God was based on my performance. I tried to earn favor through prayer, fasting, and teaching, always hoping that I would finally be “good enough” to please God.
But this way of living brought no peace. It was a cycle of striving, failing, and feeling condemned. I like to think of it as being tied to a bungee cord. You try to move forward, stretch toward God, reach out to touch Him — and then suddenly, the bungee snaps you back to where you started. And you find yourself feeling like you need to start all over again.
Performance vs. Grace
This view of God as a deity who demands constant effort to prove our devotion is not only exhausting but fundamentally flawed. Religion, in this performance-based sense, paints God as a Zeus-like figure, holding thunderbolts and waiting to punish us if we fail to do the right things. In this view, it’s as if we’re saying, “Thank you, Jesus, for revealing who I am, but it’s not enough — I need to finish the work.”
However, Jesus revealed our true identity. He is our perfect representative, showing us who we are meant to be. To believe that we must do more to be pleasing to God is like a slap in His face — a denial of the completeness of His work in us.
For many years, I lived in this mindset: “If I pray harder, fast longer, and love God more, then He will bless me.” But it was a rollercoaster of ups and downs — feeling close to God when I was doing “all the right things,” and then crashing down when I failed or sinned. I would get angry at God for not blessing me in the way I thought I deserved, and then feel self-condemnation because I knew I could always do more.
This kind of thinking creates a lose-lose situation: You lose, and God loses out on the intimate relationship He desires with you. Religion keeps you on a cycle of striving — like that bungee cord that snaps you back whenever you think you’re making progress.
The Crisis of Identity
The core issue behind religious bondage is an identity crisis. When we don’t know who we are, we let religion, culture, our parents, or even our own negative thoughts define us. But our true identity is found in what God says about us — not in the expectations of others, and not in our ability to perform religiously.
And that’s where the shift happens. Moving from religion to grace is about discovering our true identity. So, how do we define grace?
When we see ourselves as this bride, we begin to understand our identity. We are fully loved, our needs are met, and we have nothing to fear. Knowing who we are changes how we think, act, and feel. We live out of the abundance of love and grace, free to give generously and love others without fear.
Grace: A Person and a Rest
Grace is not merely a concept; grace is a person. And that person is Christ. Through grace, we realize that we don’t need to do anything to be who we already are. We are everything that Christ is, and nothing that He is not.
Jesus did not come to reveal a new set of rules for us to follow. He came to reveal our true identity. He showed us that we are one with God, that we are loved and accepted just as we are, and that our performance doesn’t change His love for us.
So, does this mean that we can perform miracles like walking on water or healing the blind, just as Jesus did? Perhaps. We must remember, Jesus only did what He saw the Father do, and He only spoke what He heard the Father say. If we live in tune with the Spirit within us — the same Spirit that was in Jesus — then we can walk in those same possibilities.
Living from Rest
Grace is about living from rest. When we know who we truly are, we no longer strive to be something we’re not. We rest in our identity as God’s children, fully loved and fully accepted. Circumstances may come and go, but our peace remains because it comes from knowing that we are one with Him.
Seated in Union with God
Imagine yourself seated in a place of honor, in union with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is the position of everyone. In John 17, Jesus prayed that we would be one with Him, just as He is one with the Father. This is our true identity: in perfect union with God.
Ephesians 2 says, “He raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Our position is one of rest and peace, united with God in the heavenly realm. And 1 John 4:17 reminds us, “As He is, so are we in this world.” We are one with Christ, sharing His glory and identity.
In 1 Peter 2:3-4, we read, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” We have been given everything we need to live a godly life — not because of what we do, but because of who we are. It’s a gift already given!
For many years, these truths seemed hidden to me. But once I grasped them, everything changed. They became like hidden treasures, finally uncovered. Knowing who I am in Christ allows me to live in freedom, rest, and intimacy with God.
The Bride: A Picture of True Identity
To understand who we are, the book of Revelation gives us a beautiful picture: We are the bride of Christ, adorned for our husband, ready to live in intimacy with Him. Imagine a bride on her wedding day — clothed in white, crowned with glory, confident, and fully loved. This is how God sees you. He is our husband; we are His Queen.
When we see ourselves as this bride, we begin to understand our identity. We are fully loved, our needs are met, and we have nothing to fear. Knowing who we are changes how we think, act, and feel. We live out of the abundance of love and grace, free to give generously and love others without fear.
Living a Supernatural Life: 10 Truths to Remember
I crafted these 10 truths because they mirror the very truths that Jesus lived by. If they were true for Him, then they are just as true for us today. Living a Supernatural Life means embracing these truths as our own, just as Jesus did. Meditate on these truths, let them shape your identity, and you’ll discover the peace and rest that comes from living as the beloved bride of God.
- Today, right now, is the best moment of my life. Don’t live in the past or wait for the future. Be present and aware of God’s presence with you.
- All my needs are constantly met. Don’t live with fear or anxiety. See the lilies of the field and how they are adorned, you are much greater than these.
- I am always in the right place at the right time. As you go through your day, know that you will be directed, inspired, motivated to always choose the right path.
- God has granted me favor in the sight of those around me. Trust that God will direct your path and surround you with people to bless and support you.
- Everything my hand touches prospers. Believe in the power of God within you to bring blessing wherever you go.
- I have an attitude of gratitude. Like the bride, live with thankfulness for all that you have.
- Circumstances don’t matter; only my state of being matters. Live from a place of peace and rest, knowing who you are.
- I have unlimited possibilities and resources. The same Spirit that was in Christ lives in you, giving you access to all you need.
- I will be God to someone today. Let God’s love flow through you to bless others.
- Life is a mirror reflecting back what I truly believe and think. What you see in the world is a reflection of what’s inside you. Let God’s truth be your guide.
Conclusion
As you reflect on these truths, know that they are more than ideas; they are the reality of who you are. Step into the freedom that comes from knowing your true identity, from living in grace rather than striving for acceptance. You are loved, you are enough, and you are already seated in perfect union with God. Cut the bungee cord of performance based religion and set yourself free and start Living a Supernatural Life.
Discover more about Doug and his work at: https://www.the100foldjourney.com/Â
