How do you see yourself?
If I put a mirror in front of you and asked you that question, what would you say?
A little more graying at the temples than I'm happy with ...
A too angular and over-sized nose ...
Some skin discoloration ...
A couple of zits (at my age?) ...
That's some of what I'd say if you put a mirror in front of me. The truth is, when most of us look in a mirror, we see far beyond what is apparent on the outside. We see deeper.
Insecurity ... pride ... secret sin ... failure ... lust ... jealousy ... unworthiness ...
Most of the time what we see are the negatives.
But I wonder what we would see if we really knew God was for us -- that He was working a plan that included us that was a design for good. I wonder what we would be willing to do for God if we knew we couldn't possibly fail.
The answer to that isn't just about developing a better feeling about yourself. It isn't about pulling up your bootstraps and trying harder. The answer is to start believing what God says about you ...
Accepted
Child of God
A friend of Jesus
Alive with Christ
An heir with Christ
Justified and redeemed
No longer a slave to sin
Set free from sin and death
A temple of the Holy Spirit
Triumphant and victorious
The righteousness of God in Christ
Blessed with every spiritual blessing
Chosen, holy and blameless before God
A receiver of boldness and confident access to God thru faith in Christ
Blessed with the peace of God that rules your heart and mind
A member of Christ's body and a participant of His promise
God's workmanship created to produce good works
Brought near to God by the blood of Jesus
Sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise
Predestined to obtain an inheritance
A benefactor of God's supply
Not condemned, but blessed
A new creation in Christ
A citizen of heaven
Light in Jesus
Complete
Chosen
Forgiven and loved forever.
There now ... isn't that way better than what you believe about you?
And be blessed.