Who Are You?

Today, we're starting something new. We're looking at a book that changed my life. If you haven't read my post from yesterday, please do. I'm going to be sharing some ideas and concepts from a book that made a huge impact on my Christian life. I highly recommend Victory Over the Darkness, and if you'd like to read and follow along, feel free. If you just want to read these posts, that's great too. I'll try not to cover too much in each post. It's good simple Christian "psychology". Many of these truths you already know, but hopefully we'll discuss these as they pertain to our lives and experience. You know how I love for you all to comment! Please join in. Share what these ideas mean to you!

Chapter 1  Who Are You?

When someone asks "who are you" what do YOU say?

How would I describe myself?

Let's see, I would say...Debra

No, that's my name

OK, I'm a stay at home, antique and junk lovin', Christian blogger.

No, that's what I do.

I'm an American.

No, that's where I live.

I'm a non-denominational pentecostal, charismatic, whatever...

No, that's my "Christian label".

OK, well, I'm short; 5' foot tall, I weigh !## pounds, (need to lose a few here). I have auburn hair (thankyou, Preference) green eyes, and a big mouth.

Not it either...

Well, then who am I?

Let's look at these scripture to see where to start.

The Apostle Paul says:

2 Corinthians 5:16-17
"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view; even though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come."

Or this scripture as God was speaking to Samuel about David's older, handsome brother in regard to choosing the future King of Israel:

1 Samuel 16:7
"But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him, The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

So, let's think about this question: "Is who you are determined by what you do, or is what you do determined by who you are?" Knowing who we are is foundational for not only our Christian walk, but for our everyday life.


Is "who we are" on the outside the same as "who we are on the inside"? Do we spend alot of time trying to make "who we are on the outside" appear to have it all together, when "who we are on the inside" is falling apart? Been there...for many years. Often we spend so much effort to look and act "normal", when what we are feeling inside is a shambles. Our outer self, becomes a facade, hiding our thoughts, feelings and emotions. Appearance, social status, success(?), and the admiration and recognition that these bring can sometimes lend itself to a false sense of worldly security.

Version: NAS

Luke 9:25
"For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

What if we spend our whole life thinking our value is in the "world's system" when it really is not? Our value is found in Jesus Christ alone.
 As King Solomon stated in Ecclesiastes 1:2 "Meaningless, meaningless! says the teacher, Everything is meaningless!"  He felt everything was without substance if you didn't know the Lord. There is futility in life if you don't know God.

As a society we buy into the idea that "happiness" is equated with good looks, money, and status. Are we "hopeless" if these are not who we are? And how much better if we can regard ourselves through the eyes of Christ, instead of our own. To look at our own selves and others and not see the "physical" but to look at the heart of the person.

God wants us to focus on "who we are in Christ". To find our worth and value in Him. The following are just a few scripture that will show us who we are in Christ. Feel free to copy them and look them up in your devotion time.

"Who I Am in Christ"

I am born again…through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Peter 1:23)


I am a child of God. (John 1:12)


I am saved by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)


I am loved by God and He gave his one and only Son for me. (John 3:16)


I am a new creation in Christ; the old has gone and the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)


I have peace with God. (Romans 5:1)


The Holy Spirit lives in me. (1 Corinthians 3:16)


I have access to God's wisdom. (James 1:5)


I am helped by God. (Hebrews 4:16)


I am reconciled to God. (Romans 5:11)


I am not condemned by God. (Romans 8:1)


I am justified. (Romans 5:1)


I have Christ's righteousness. (Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:21)


I am Christ's ambassador. (2 Corinthians 5:20)


I am completely forgiven. (Colossians 1:14)


I am tenderly loved by God. (Jeremiah 31:3)


I am the sweet fragrance of Christ to God. (2 Corinthians 2:15)


I am a temple in which God dwells. (1 Corinthians 3:16)


I am blameless and beyond reproach. (Colossians 1:22)


I am the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)


I am the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)


I am a branch on Christ's vine. (John 15:1,5)


I am Christ's friend. (John 15:5)


I am chosen by Christ to bear fruit. (John 15:16)


I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him. (Romans 8:17)


I am united to the Lord, one spirit with Him. (1 Corinthians 6:17)


I am a member of Christ's body. (1 Corinthians 12:27)


I am a saint. (Ephesians 1:1)


I am hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)

Today, let's evaluate what we think of ourselves. Do we feel like we are nothing in the world's eyes? Does society call us "losers"? Do we call ourselves "losers"? Maybe we have a lot or all of what society calls success. Are we attractive, personable, talented, wealthy? Have we reached or are within reach of all our goals?

If you are having an issue with your identity in the sight of God and if you aren't sure where you stand in the "big picture" of your life, look up these scripture.

Really, when you get down to it, our identity is a result of our understanding our relationship with Jesus Christ. Without Him I am nothing; with Him, I can do all things, through Christ. Thank you, Jesus!

much love!

Debra

(concepts taken from chapter 1,"Victory Over the Darkness")