When we don’t know who we have been designed to be,
we end up attempting to be someone we’re not.
I know because I’ve tried.
From peer pressure to aspiring to be someone, this pierces through the vein of every man, woman, teen and even child, desiring to be someone or achieve something.
Jesus was in the wilderness, tempted by the devil to be who He wasn’t supposed to be. Satan tempted him by starting his statements with “if you really are the Son of God, then…”
It was interesting that this event came right after His Heavenly Father just confirmed His identity and pleasure towards Him as His Son. “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) God declared this before Jesus’ ministry started, way before He’s done anything to please His Father.
It’s not much different with you and me.
When we don’t know who we are in Christ, we end up trying to please God by earning His favor through self-effort and sheer performance. Consequently, we end up doing things we weren’t designed to become.
It’s like seeing…
* A princess feeding from the dumpster
* A prince living like a pauper
* A free man living like a slave
* A child trying to prove Himself to his father
* An heir working for his inheritance he already received.
Translating this to current reality…
* Women looking for love, seeking to find it from one relationship to the next, not realizing that genuine, unconditional and unending love can only be found from our Heavenly Father.
* Men seeking for satisfaction through porn because they’ve settled for a cheap and temporary substitute.
* Students burning hours/days trying to finish an iPad game instead of accomplishing what’s on their plate at this time.
* Entertainers selling their dignity whether live or onscreen “for the sake of art.”
* Public servants who are serving no one else but themselves.
* Business people who have sold everything including their character to achieve financial success.
How do I know? I’ve done it…so many times. It may not have been in these terms but in so many words, I’ve traded Christ’s identity for something unintended for me because I’ve forgotten who He’s made me to be and called me to become.
Thankfully, we are reminded daily by His Word .
I am God’s child. (John 1:12)
I am Christ’s friend. (John 15:15)
I have been justified. (Romans 5:1)
I belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19,20)
I have been adopted as God’s child. (Ephesians 1:5)
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18)
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. (Colossians 1:14)
I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10)
I am free forever from condemnation. (Romans 8:1,2)
I am assured that all things work together for good. (Romans 8:28)
I am free from any condemning charges against me. (Romans 8:31)
I cannot be separated from the love of God. (Romans 8:35)
I have been established, anointed,
and sealed by God. (2 Corinthians 1:21,22)
I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me
will be perfected. (Philippians 1:6)
I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me. (1 John 5:18)
I am significant. I am the salt and light of the earth. (Matthew 5:13,14)
I am God’s temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm. (Ephesians 2:6)
I am God’s workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
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