EXCERPT FROM Treasures of the Kingdom
Kingdom Treasure #2
Identity
"So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them."
(Genesis 1:27)
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
(John 3:3)
"For neither is circumcision [now] of any importance, nor uncircumcision, but [only] a new creation [the result of a new birth and a new nature in Christ Jesus, the Messiah]."
(Galatians 6:15 - Amplified)
Maybe you think your past, family values, education or life experiences have made you who you are today. You might consider the results of those things to be the composite of your identity. Maybe you think you are what people have said they think you are (Example: "You are so stupid" or "You can be anything you want to be"). They said it so it must be true! This would be perceiving who you are, your identity, based on people's opinions and not on the reality of who you were created to be.
All of these things shape how you view yourself but are they really the elements that make up your true identity? In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asked his disciples, "But who do you say that I am?" As a follower of Christ, you could ask: "Who do I say I am?" A more important question would be "Who does God say I am?" Maybe there would be two very different answers. However, there should be only one question with one answer. The true, revealing question should be "Who does God say I am"?
God is the giver of true identity. As you see from the verses above, He gives us a new life as we become a new creation through Christ. All old things have and will pass away.
Putting on our new person can take time. We must be sure we let the old things about us, especially in our previous life, before Christ, pass away. This will allow us to embrace the new person God intends us to be-created in His image and specifically designed to see His kingdom. But wait- that's not all! Not only will we see His kingdom, we will be vessels who live within His kingdom realm who carry and impart kingdom realities as we live our daily lives!
My Dear One:
Don't let outside forces or people define who you are. They did not create you. They influenced you but they did not create you- I did! Many people define themselves by their sins and inadequacies but I define you as "fearfully and wonderfully made" created in My image. Just as people say about someone's child "He looks just like his father" that is how being created in My image works. You become a reflection of Me. You must draw near to Me to discover and know who I say you are. Don't spend a lifetime struggling with "Who am I?". Discover who I created you to be and rejoice in the journey because you are My child and I love you!
Lord:
I have spent so much time trying to figure out who I really am! I have allowed my
actions and performance to dictate who I think I am. I have been defined by so much
except You! Lord, I ask you to give me understanding of who You created me to be.
Through Christ I am a new person defined by You. Let all old things
that have kept me from entering into who I really am fall away
so I can embrace the real me created by You!
Sample Journal Page
(actual size 8 1/2 x 11)
Devotional Insights / Revelations / Personal Prayer - Kingdom Treasure #2
Identity
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Other Scriptures: John 3:5-7, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Colossians 3:9-10, 1 Peter 1:22-23,
Romans 8:12-17, Galatians 3:26-29, Galatians 4:3-7
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