“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7
Dear Ones:
Many are the people in this world who do not know WHO they are. Yes, we have our names, and sometimes can trace our lineage. But this does not explain, or describe, who we truly ARE in the present moment. True individual identity carries with it the compilation of all that one is by nature, mannerisms, attitudes, gifts and capacities. We often seek to declare who we think we are by what we accomplish, comparing ourselves to others. When we do not rise to the level of the standards we set, and the corresponding attitudes of the world toward us, we often become disheartened. But here, the question must be asked, “If God is greater than my heart, and all the thoughts that I might have, then how does He see me? What is there in His heart and mind when the Lord Jesus says of His sheep: “…the sheep hear His voice: and He calls His own sheep BY NAME, and leads them out.” (Jn.10:3) Is not the value and importance of the sheep determined by the Shepherd who calls it by name, and leads it forth? The sheep may have a very low opinion of itself. This is not true of the Shepherd, for He gives His life for the sheep, and for the one who is lost in the wilderness, He is that one who leaves all else to see and to save it.
So then, in the eyes of God, what and who are we? In order to answer this question, the first thing we need to grasp is that we are “…created…in the image of God.” (Gen. 1:27) But how can we begin to understand this truth, seeing that we are sinful, and unbelieving by nature? It is by God’s gracious work in us. God has made us to be a trinity…body, soul, spirit. However, when Adam fell, the window of man’s soul, the spirit, was closed. Darkness ensued, and man became totally lost, absolutely incapable of finding his way. This is why Christ came, to shine His light into the darkness of the heart, and to fling open the window of the soul to the light of heaven. We are created in the image of God, but that image is only revealed when Christ comes into the heart, and the window is open. What then is the value of the soul, MY soul? We know from Scripture that “God so loved the world,” that He gave His Son to die for all. But we need to grasp that when Christ came, …He tasted death for EVERY man. (Heb.2:9) God has set a value upon the human soul that is incalculable. It can only be measured by the height, depth, width, and breadth of the love of God…and that is immeasurable. So, Who are we? We are those created by God, whom He calls by our names, upon whom His everlasting love is set. This is why He declares: “…Therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” (Jer.31:3) When we consider who we are, we must always see ourselves in the light of how God sees us…believing it, and choosing to live in the reality of it.
Dear Father, open our eyes to see the love of God, as revealed supremely in Christ. Draw out our hearts to Thee, and enable us to live in the sunshine of Thy love, receiving from Thee all that is needful to honor and glorify Thee. What a wonderful day, even this day, to say unto Thee: “I am His (Christ’s), and He is mine.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad