Thursday, January 28, 2010

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")

10 comments:

  1. Just wanted to share something that we studied at church recently.
    An apple tree will produce apples because of what it is. When it is young, it will have no apples; but it still must say, "I am an apple tree." When it is winter and there are no leaves or apples; it still says,"I am an apple tree."Is it lying at those times? No. It would be lying to say anything different.
    Many Christians have a hard time saying who God says they are when no fruit is manifesting in that particular area. Could they be too young in that fruit to be fruitful? Could they be in a season where that dimension of the Christian life is being pruned back for future growth? Either way, it does not mean they are lying when they say, "I am anointed, prosperous, delivered, healed, righteous, strong, etc." We are what the Bible says we are.
    Steve Backlund
    This was a real eye opener for me and I thought someone today would be blessed by it as they study the "in Him" scriptures.

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  2. I haven't had much time to post - but I have been following along and reading the majority of your studies.
    I find this interesting that who we really are really begin with "I AM".
    Good one Debra. I was a wife and home-schooling mom for a good many years. When our son graduated from high school and went his own way and got married - I 'lost' who I was. All my life, I'd planned curricula, found 'lessons in everything', thought, planned, lived and even shopped as a home-schooling mother. Then one day it was over. I truly was feeling like I didn't know what I was supposed to do, how I was supposed to think, 'who I was' anymore!
    It was then that I realized I hadn't lost anything at all. Being a home-schooling mother didn't define 'who' I was at all. It simply was one facet of what I did. And I then found the truth of 'who I was'. It was (just as you wrote), all encompassed in the great "I AM".
    Thanks for sharing this! Good stuff.

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  3. Hi Lisa and Deb, wonderful contributions to the lessons! I love the "extras" that you all give to round out and give an added dimension to the lesson. Thank You!!!!

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  4. Thank you Jesus and thank you Debra, what an exciting book. I love being reminded of these verses and what a good thing to remember, who we are is not determined by everything mentioned, but the way Christ sees us. Have a blessed day my friend, T

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  5. How great and assuring that I am in Christ a new creature, that when God sees me He sees Christ - not a sinner but a new creation. The creator is still working on His creation and He said He is able to finish what He started. It is up to Him to keep that promise - Not me - it is up to Him to perfect in me the perfect image of Christ. I am an Heir with Christ to the Kingdom of God...how exciting is that!

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  6. I am the sweet fragrance of Christ to God. (2 Corinthians 2:15)
    That was our goal with Andrew from the first we heard the diagnosis of brain cancer.
    We wanted to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ.

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  7. Blessings to you sweet friend ~ Love your scripture choices! Always uplifting to visit your blog!

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  8. I'm so glad that these basic Christian truths are hitting home. Looking up the "I am" scripture can radically make a difference in how we view ourselves. Looking at them all together really impacted me. Thank you all for coming by. I know you all are so busy, and I feel so blessed that you chose to spend your time reading with me.
    love you all,
    Debra

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  9. Thank you for an absolutely wonderful post. I have been struggling lately with who I am, and your post and scriptures reminded me of what I know, believe and forget all too often.

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  10. I'm looking forward to more of this lesson. It looks like many of us are dealing with the question of who am I. I have never thought of it as when God see's me he see's Christ and that Christ is within me. That really echos in my heart & soul now. I love the thought of that. I would have a difficult time telling someone who I am. It's amazing how we seem to lose our identity over the years. The bible study is helping me to remember that the Lord expects to work with me all of my days. Not just working with me half my life and saying you should have it figured out by now. I hope this year I will learn how to trust that Christ is within me even though all I see is how far from perfect I am or how I don't measure up to other people. I'm working on it though the connection with all of you. I hope each one of us touches another one of us in some form.

    I love what Lisa said about the apple tree, that really put a truism in my head and a picture.

    Rebecca, thank you for reminding me that it is up to God to keep his promise and that he is not finished with me. I never think it that way. To think that God has promised me something and I know he always keeps his promises. Now I just need to quit doubting. God didn't say I promised Lucy, Charlie and Linus, he promised us all including me. That is just sinking in, why did it take so long. Thank you Jesus!!!

    And Melanie, thank you for putting the image of spreading the fragrance of the know of Christ. I don't remember ever reading that verse before. What a beautiful thought, that I (little ole' me) is the sweet fragrance of Christ to God.

    Debra, I'm thanking God everyday that he sent me you and all this wonderful news and all these kind, loving Christian people. You are such a blessing to me.

    Sorry I'm always so long winded but I've gotten so excited and am so grateful for all that I find here everyday.

    Love & Happy Weekend to Everyone. Hugs...Tracy :)

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