Identity
1 Corinthians 3:16 - "Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?" (NIV)
Ephesians 1:4-8 - "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will– to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." (NIV)
Ephesians 2:6 - "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
Ephesians 2:19 - "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household." (NIV)
1 John 3:1 - "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." (NIV)
Many people spend their lives searching to "find themselves." What are they looking for? Perhaps a sense of purpose or meaning in life. In desperate attempts to find themselves, they actually lose themselves in bad relationships, drugs, apathy or rebellion. Why does this happen? Why do people get so confused as to who they are and where they belong?
As we grow up, our identity is very tied into our parents. We find our sense of confidence as a valued son or daughter through them. But, our parents do not always reflect the love of the Father. They do not always breathe confidence into our identity. And we grow up wondering if we are truly valuable… if we really have a purpose in this world. It is true that no earthly authority figure can accurately reflect the Father's love and acceptance. If we try to find our sense of worth through the affirmation of parents or others, we will be left empty. Only the Father in heaven can give us a firm foundation in his love.
Ephesians 1:4-8 says that we are chosen by the Father, made holy and blameless, predestined, adopted, redeemed and forgiven. We could read these words and even memorize them. But, just knowing the truth does not mean that our identity is secure. It is not until we agree with the Father and accept his design of us that our identity becomes secure. In other words, our identity has to do with our CHOICE to accept the Father's definition and opinion of who we are. The Father has made us beautifully and wonderfully (Psa. 139:13-14). But, we are able to reject his design of us. When we do this, we walk in a deep sense of insecurity. When we agree with the Father and thank him for his great design of us (even down to the small details), we are filled with a sense of confidence and security. We find true acceptance and purpose in the Father's love.
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
Psalm 139:13-14 - "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (NIV)
Ephesians 1:4-8 - "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will– to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." (NIV)
Ephesians 2:6 - "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
Ephesians 2:19 - "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household." (NIV)
1 John 3:1 - "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." (NIV)
Many people spend their lives searching to "find themselves." What are they looking for? Perhaps a sense of purpose or meaning in life. In desperate attempts to find themselves, they actually lose themselves in bad relationships, drugs, apathy or rebellion. Why does this happen? Why do people get so confused as to who they are and where they belong?
As we grow up, our identity is very tied into our parents. We find our sense of confidence as a valued son or daughter through them. But, our parents do not always reflect the love of the Father. They do not always breathe confidence into our identity. And we grow up wondering if we are truly valuable… if we really have a purpose in this world. It is true that no earthly authority figure can accurately reflect the Father's love and acceptance. If we try to find our sense of worth through the affirmation of parents or others, we will be left empty. Only the Father in heaven can give us a firm foundation in his love.
Ephesians 1:4-8 says that we are chosen by the Father, made holy and blameless, predestined, adopted, redeemed and forgiven. We could read these words and even memorize them. But, just knowing the truth does not mean that our identity is secure. It is not until we agree with the Father and accept his design of us that our identity becomes secure. In other words, our identity has to do with our CHOICE to accept the Father's definition and opinion of who we are. The Father has made us beautifully and wonderfully (Psa. 139:13-14). But, we are able to reject his design of us. When we do this, we walk in a deep sense of insecurity. When we agree with the Father and thank him for his great design of us (even down to the small details), we are filled with a sense of confidence and security. We find true acceptance and purpose in the Father's love.
For More Study
- Psalm 139
- Ephesians 1-2
- 1 John 3:1-3
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- Have you gone through a period of your life where you questioned your own worth or purpose? Describe your thoughts and feelings at that time.
- How well did your parents reflect the Father's love to you? Have you forgiven them for times when they did not show you the Father's love?
- Read Psalm 139:13-14. Do you believe that you have been wonderfully in every way? Or do you complain about parts of how you are made?
- Ask the Father for forgiveness if there are any areas where you have not accepted his design or opinion of you. Then, take time to thank him for how he made you.
Memorization
Psalm 139:13-14 - "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (NIV)
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