Growing up, one of the greatest things that I believe I lacked was a sense of identity. I had no real sense of who I was, and because of that, I found my sense of worth and love in what I did, how well I performed, and in how people thought of and treated me. The older I got, the more perfectionistic I became, and the more I began to yearn for the validation and approval of others.
In becoming a Child of God, I found that I carried this same mentality into my relationship with Christ. I felt that I had to perform and work hard in order to receive God’s love and approval. It was easier for me to believe that I was accepted and loved when I was being fruitful for Him. I hadn’t fully taken hold of my new identity, that I am already accepted in the Beloved through what Christ has done for me (Ephesians 1:6).
But if I can be honest, this is a truth that is still being enlarged in me.
Just the other day as I was spending time with the Lord, He began to reveal to me some things that were still quietly mingled with my perception of how I am wanted and loved. Buried beneath the surface, but needing to be addressed, arose from hiding the following:
“I’m only loved and wanted for what I do, or for what can be gotten out of me.”
Whoa, I thought I was long over this, but as the layers began to shed I felt it, and saw it clear as day. As I sat in my car nestled under the shade of an Oak tree, I exhaled as I stared into the trees in front of me. 1 John 4:9 was brought to my mind.
1 John 4:9
“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”
With strength and gentleness the Lord reminded me of the fact that His love is not dependent upon us or our efforts at all. He loves because that’s just who He is (1 John 4:8). He made His love plain by the action of giving His Son for us…and while we were still sinners at that (Romans 5:8).
The longer I sat and meditated on 1 John 4:9, my eyes were opened afresh to see that there truly is no greater proclamation of love, but more importantly, God’s love for us than Christ hanging on the cross. And nothing screams, “I want you!” louder than Jesus’ suffering as He absorbed the wrath of God that we so rightly deserved.
John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
This is why it is so imperative for the continual renewal of our minds and guarding of our hearts (Proverbs 4:23). With the rigamarole that sometimes comes with life, it is easy for things to slip in and begin whispering lies regarding our identity. If our thoughts about ourselves are contrary to what God says, it’s our thoughts that are wrong, not God.
Proverbs 23:7
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
As our perspective is continually being adjusted and readjusted, let us be intentional to fortify our blood-bought identity in Christ with the Word of God, and declare daily His wonderful truths over us.
We are loved.
Ephesians 1:3-6
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”
Proverbs 4:23
“Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.”
Isaiah 53:10-11
“Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.
11He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities.”
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
2 Corinthians 5:21
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
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