Think on These Things: Positive thoughts in a negative world…
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).
- We are loved (John 3:16).
- We are Jesus’ friend (John 15:15).
- We are accepted (Romans 15:7).
- We are chosen (Ephesians 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 (Romans 6:6).
- We are heirs (Romans 8:17).
- We are dwelling places for the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
- We are led by God (2 Corinthians 2:14).
- We are righteous (2 Corinthians 2:15).
- We are blessed (Ephesians 1:3).
- We are alive in Christ (Ephesians 1:4-5).
- We are complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10).
Our identity is now in Christ. All these attributes are who we are in Christ, not earned by us but freely given. 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!
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“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” ~Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
