Another Year of Choices
By Barbara Dahlgren
Once Jesus asked his disciples, “Whom do men say that I am?” Some said he was John the Baptist, some said Elias, some said a prophet and so on. Jesus was no doubt curious.
When Jesus asked Peter, he replied, “You are Christ, the son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-17) It pleased Jesus that Peter realized this. After all, Christ knew who He was even if those He came in contact with weren’t quite sure.
How about us? Do we know who we are?
Once we turn our lives over to God, we belong to Him. And from that very moment our identity changes and we become new people. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:24) Sometimes just knowing who we are can make a difference in how we live our lives. Here is just a sampling of who we are:
- We are God’s children (John 1:12, Gal. 4:7)
- We are loved. (John 3:16, Col. 3:12)
- We are Jesus’ friends. (John 15:15)
- We are accepted. (Romans 15:7)
- We are chosen. (Eph. 1:4, Col. 3:12, 1 Thess. 1:4)
- We are redeemed. (Ephesians 1:7)
- We are justified. (Romans 3:24)
- We are saved, not condemned. (Romans 8:1)
- We are free, not slaves. (Rom. 6:6, Rom. 8:2, Gal. 4:7, Gal. 5:1)
- We are heirs. (Rom. 8:17, Gal. 4:7, Eph. 1:11)
- We are dwelling places for the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 6:19)
- We are led by God. (2 Cor. 2:14)
- We are righteous. (2 Cor. 2:15, 2 Cor. 5:21)
- We are blessed. (Ephesians 1:3)
- We are alive in Christ. (Ephesians 1:4-5)
- We are complete in Christ. (Col. 2:10)
Our identity is now in Christ. All these attributes are who we are in Christ, not earned by us but freely given.
Consider this… The Bible says as a man thinks, so he is. (Proverbs 23:7) How we perceive ourselves makes a difference in how we act, how we react, and how we live.
So who do you think you are? We can’t afford to get caught up in who others might think we are. We have an abundant life and rich inheritance. After all, we are God’s children!
Suggestions on practicing this choice…
What we say to ourselves (self-talk) has a major impact on how we view ourselves, how we function, and how we come across to others. Let’s not bombard ourselves with negative put downs like: Nobody loves me; I’m stupid; I’m fat; I’m worthless; I’m ugly; I can’t do anything right; I’m a jerk! Okay, we may be a jerks at times, but we are probably not stupid, fat, worthless, ugly jerks who can’t do anything right. Besides God always loves us – ALWAYS! Give yourself a break!
Replace negative thoughts with positive, truthful thoughts like: Jesus accepts me; Jesus does not condemn me for my mistakes. Others may think we’re jerks, but Jesus loves us. (Actually Jesus may think you’re a jerk, but guess what? He still loves you and will definitely help you be less of a jerk if you ask Him.) Whatever is true and positive – think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
View God as a loving Father with open arms, always ready to embrace you.
Focus on spiritual things. Fill your mind with prayer, God’s Word, and meditation.
Say to yourself often throughout the day: “I am a child of God! My identity is in Christ.” And pray to yourself often throughout the day: “Lord, help me to reflect this identity in the little things I do and say each day.”
