Saturday, September 10, 2016

Who Am I?

I saw the following list floating around Facebook about a year ago and I found it so intriguing I decided to copy it down and keep it in the back of my mind as a reminder of who God says I am. I must apologize I do not know who to give credit to for this list, or even where to find the original post that came across my feed, but I did want to share it’s contents with you today. It blessed my heart so much and I only pray that it blesses your heart as well.

You Say… God Says…

I can’t figure it out I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
I am too tired I will give you rest (Matthew 11:20-30)
It’s impossible All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
Nobody loves me I love you (John 3:16)
I can’t forgive myself I forgive you (Romans 8:1)
It’s not worth it I will be worth it (Romans 8:28)
I’m not smart enough I will give you wisdom (James 1:5)
I’m not able I am able (2 Corinthians 9:8)
I can’t go on My grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9)
I can’t do it You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
I can manage I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
I’m afraid I have not given you fear (2 Timothy 1:7)
I feel alone I will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5)

How often do we look at ourselves in mirror and rehearse these exact words, or similar words to ourselves? I know I am guilty of letting these very thoughts fly freely and unchecked inside my mind only to find myself desperately trying to wrangle them in so that they don’t completely talk me out of who God says I truly am. As we can clearly see the words we say and think do not remotely line up with the way God thinks about His precious people. We are His beloved (1 Corinthians 15:58). We are created in His image (Genesis 1:27). We were made to bring honor and glory to His name (Revelation 4:11). He loves us more than words can even express (1 John 3:1). We must not doubt these things. When we take God at His word, His word will take us to heights we have never been, through valleys we would never have been able to walk though otherwise, and through waters that were never meant to be crossed by any human.



So Who Am I?

Scripture is very clear on who we are in Christ. I love that we can go straight to God’s everlasting word and find our identity, especially in the times we live in when the culture around us is trying to tell us what we should believe, how we should think, and who we are supposed to be. Our culture does not line up with God’s word. In fact, it is preaching the complete opposite of who God says we are in Him.


“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:17

We are children of God, and in being called His children, this makes us heirs. We inherited all the benefits and all the promises of His kingdom! Nothing is left out! We are not given a partial inheritance here, but rather, the entire inheritance! Nothing is withheld from those who truly surrender their lives to the Lord. This is so mind blowing because God’s kingdom is limitless and His promises are beyond measure

“...Instead, I have called you friends....” John 15:15

We are friends of Christ. He loves us just as His friend! So often we view God on His throne ruling over us in His great authority, like a militant king.  But He loves us like a friend! How awesome is this! We truly serve a God who cares about His people.

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14

We are forgiven! We have forgiveness in Christ! Please know that this forgiveness is given freely, but it also comes with a price tag called humility and repentance. We must humble ourselves and lay our sins at the feet of Jesus. Christ can not and will not forgive sin that we refuse to bring to Him with a humbled heart that is ready for change. When we walk in forgiveness we will reap so many other benefits!

“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

We are set free! We no longer have to live in the chains that we once found ourselves bound in. We can live in the freedom that Christ brings to our souls! This freedom does however, come at a price. We must be willing to stand firm and not walk back to the things that once bound us. When we turn our backs on the sin that once entangled us, freedom comes to our spirit  through Christ, but freedom can not stay if we decide to put the chains of bondage back on. True repentance and forgiveness is key to walking in freedom. Yes, this requires much work. It requires much sacrifice on our parts, but it is work and sacrifice that is well worth the effort when we are able to walk in God’s perfect freedom.

“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin” Romans 6:6

We are no longer a slave to sin. This does not mean we will never sin, but  it does mean that we have the power to overcome sin through the blood of Jesus Christ. In order to stay in this place of no longer being a slave to sin, we must walk in true repentance and forgiveness. These again are keys in no longer being in bondage to our sin nature.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

We are God’s workmanship. We are specifically created by the hands of God for a very special purpose while we are here on earth. Each of us are uniquely designed by the almighty artist Himself. Each and every facet of our being has been planned out, strategically thought out and perfectly orchestrated with special attention to each and every little detail. God did not make any mistakes. We may miss the mark from time to time, but God in His infinite wisdom did not miss the mark in creating us, not even once! Oh, how reassuring that is to my spirit! I pray that it resonates with your spirit as well.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

We are a chosen people. Just as we are God’s workmanship, we are also his chosen people. We are a people set apart. We are called to declare the praises of the Lord. We are called to proclaim His transforming miracle working power in our lives to all who will listen. Each one of us has a story to tell. We once were lost, but now we are found (Luke 15:32). We once were blind, but now we can see (John 9:25). We once walked in darkness, but Christ brought us into His wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). So let us not be ashamed of the one who chose us to declare His praises.

Next time you have negative thoughts swirling around inside your mind. Please pull out God’s word and be reminded of just who you are in Him. Those negative thoughts are simply the enemy trying to weasel his way into your heart and distract you from the beautiful plans and purposes that God has for your life. Remember to rehearse who God says you are. God will often see us completely opposite of how we view ourselves. When we rehearse our identity in Christ, we will see God’s beautiful purpose begin to flow out of us.

Dear Lord, I thank you that you see us so differently than we often see ourselves. Sometimes we can be so critical of ourselves. You are quick to pour out your love and freedom upon our lives through Jesus Christ. Thank you that our identity does not come from the culture around us. Thank you that your standard does not change like the standards of this world. People are always changing their minds about what is true and right, but you are steadfast and unchangeable. Your mind does not waver about us. Your thoughts always look upon us with love and uplifting encouragement. You desire for us to rise up on wings like eagles, to run and not grow weary, and to walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:3). We give you all the honor and glory that you deserve! Thank you precious Lord for giving us our identity!  

For more encouraging posts see: You Have Purpose, You Are A Masterpiece, You Are A Masterpiece (Part 2), You Are Royalty, Our Beautiful Minds, Beauty Traits

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