- how would you describe yourself?
- how do you think your friends would describe you?
- ask a friend and find out what they really have to say about you. Does your description about yourself match your friends' descriptions?
- do you like how they described you?
- if you don't like the way they described you, would you change so that they will say nicer things about you next time?
Well, now that we've taken the "short quiz", let's see what the Bible has to say about self-image.
It is important to know who you are (1 Sam 17:58). As in part 1, we learned that our identity is in Christ. Be assured that you are a child of God and not doubt your identity. God loves you despite what anyone else may say about you (Rom 8:37-39, 1John 3:16, John 3:16, Rom 5:8). The Bible says nothing can separate us from the love of God. Don't worry about what everyone else says about you. Learn to see yourself through God's eyes. He has made you beautiful (Ps 139:14). It is also important that we focus on building our inner man as much as our outward appearance because God looks at our heart (1 Sam 16:7).
Anyway, back to business. The first part of the MIRROR series, entitled 'Who Am I?' is about our identity. Yes, we all have a problem with identity somewhere along our life. Well, here's a quickie on what Pastor Andy shared about in 'Who Am I?'
So, who are we, really?
- we are new creations (2 Cor 5:17) - Yes, you! You are made new in Christ. Let the past be the past cos Christ has died for all your sins and you are made whole in him.
- we are led by the spirit, and we are children of God (Rom 8:12-15) - Ain't that cool! You are not just anybody, you are a child of God.
- we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Rom 8:16-17) - Since we are children of God, that means we also inherit what God has.
- all things work together for our good (Rom 8:28-29) - We are called according to God's purpose and because we love him, he makes all things work for our good.
- nothing can come against us (Rom 8:31-32) - Well, if God makes all things work for you and He is for you, then what's gonna stop you and come against you? Nothing.
- we are more than conquerors (Rom 8:35-37) - Get this, you are way bigger than all your problems because the God in you is a great God.
- we are forgiven (Rom 4:6-8) - Doens't it feel good to know that God isn't going to hold a grudge against us for doing something wrong? Instead he says we are forgiven in him.
Why is it important to know who we are? Cos there is power inknowing who we are. When we know who we are, we know what to do. As an example, if you are not sure if you are a girl or a guy, then you wouldn't know how to act. Bu if you know you are a girl, then you know you have to behave like a girl. So in the same way, we need to know who we are so that we know what to do. And we get our identity from God (John 15:5). When we remain in him, he will remain in us.
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Want to hear more? Join us for Teenacity, every Saturday (5pm) @the Crib (Acts church).
