We are born into this world without knowing it or asking for it. Our
fate is almost like someone who stranded in a remote island. As time goes by we
learn things from people around us. One of the earliest things we learn is
about our identity. Since our birth, most of us have been given a name as part
of our identity. And then we learn more about our identity, such as race,
religion, gender, etc.
Sometimes a person does not like his/her identity and tries to
change it with all possible ways, such as changing hair color, way of speaking,
even the face through plastic surgery. However, those attempts only goes as far
as the external, but what about internal? What about our spirit? We can change
our appearance as we want but if our spirit remains the same, then all our
effort are in vain. Our dissatisfaction in regard of our identity is actually
not a matter of the physique matter. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize
this as they are too busy trying to change their physique or getting as much money
as possible to have a better life.
We cant see our own spirit and for that, we don’t really know who we
are spiritually. To truly understand our true self, we need to look back to the
beginning of creation when God the Creator created the first man as recorded in
the book of Genesis :
“So God created in His (own) image, in the image of God
created He him; male and female created He them”. (Genesis 1:27)
What does it mean to be created in the image of God? Does that mean
that we physically look like God? Of course not because God is spirit, He is
formless and unseen. Hence, it must be a spiritual image, (characteristic and
personality), rather than a physical image. This is why it is important to get to
know God because as we know God, we understand who we are supposed to be, our
fate identity.
What is God like?
I is hard for us, fleshly finite men, to understand God who is
Spirit and infinite. For that reason, God has come down from heaven and become
a man with all man’s limitation so that we can understand Him better. He did
all this out of His love for us. And so, God showed us the life He expects from
us through His human form. This God-man figure is known by the name Jesus
Christ. It is through Jesus Christ that God has made Himself manifest to us
physically. And this is why it is very important for us to know Jesus Christ,
what is He like?
1.
Jesus Christ was born and lived
sinless (John 8:46)
2.
Jesus Christ is full of grace
and truth (John 1:14)
3.
Jesus Christ has authority over
everything (healing, resurrection, nature, multiplication, forgiveness of sin,
casting out evil spirits, etc)
4.
Jesus Christ is meek and lowly
(Matthew 11:29)
5.
Jesus Christ is the righteous
judge (John 5:30)
After we know more the character and personality of Jesus Christ, we
understand more who we are supposed to be, our true identity. Remember dear
reader, we were created in God’s image. Let us compare ourselves with Jesus,
starting from His Characteristic: Sinless. Are we sinless? I think we all know
the answer, no one is born and live a sinless life. We are all sinners. Just by
looking at one characteristic of Jesus and we already fail to have the image of
God! You may wonder if we were indeed created in God’s image who is sinless
then why are we sinful? To understand this, we must go back to the very first
time man feel into sin:
And the LORD God said unto the woman, what (is) this (that) thou
hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did
eat (Genesis 3:13).
The serpent (Satan), he was the one who cause man fell into sin with
his deception. That is why we must fight Satan and his demons by casting them
out in the name of Jesus Christ, God’s name. Satan hates the fact that we were
created in God’s and for that reasons he wants to ruin God’s image in us. Satan
succeeded. As the result of Adam and Eve’s fall, all his or her descendants are
born with strong tendency to sin that no one has escaped from sin. The
following, are the list of sin, try to remember which sins you have committed,
and realize how sinful you are :
1.
Worshipping other gods
2.
Worshipping idols
3.
Using God’s name in vain
4.
Not resting in the Lord Jesus
5.
Not honoring your parents
6.
Killing (hatred is killing at
heart)
7.
Adultery (looking at someone
with lust is adultery at heart)
8.
Stealing
9.
Lying
10. Envy
Sin is the source of all our problems, not just in this life but
also in the after-life. That is why sin must be dealt, but how? Can we wash
away our own sins? No, beloved reader, as sinful people , we are helpless and that’s why we
need help from God the Almighty. Jesus Christ in human form, not only to made
Himself known to us, but also to wash away the sins of the world, so that
whoever believe in Jesus Christ will receive eternal life.
Around 2000 years ago, Jesus sacrificed Himself as a human on the
cross to pay for your sins. He had done this for you for free because He loves
you. If you are willing to surrender yourself to Jesus and acknowledge Him as
your King and Savior, then all your sins will be forgiven as you received the
atonement that God had prepared for you. With your sins washed away, God will
gradually restore your identity that has been damages by sin. All this, God
does through His Spirit, the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of Jesus, given to
anyone willing to receive Him.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the
sons of God, (even) to them that believe on His name (John 1:12)
This is our true identity, the children of God! Beloved reader,
despite our sinfulness, God is willing to adopt us as His children. Everything
that we need to become His Children, everything that we need to become His
children, He has provided. The only question is, are we willing to be His
children? God’s love is unconditional; He will receive you just as you are. No
matter what sins you committed in the past, He will wash them away if you are
willing to repent and surrender to Him. For those who want their identity to be
restored as the children of God, our initial identity, please say the following
prayer with the willingness to repent that is to leave your old life behind:
Lord Jesus Christ,
I give thanks for your unconditional love. Thank you for the
forgiveness of sin and your sacrifice on the cross. I believe and gladly accept
the works that you have done for me. O god, father in heaven, as you have paid
my price fully, I am all yours now. Shape me as you wish. Make me Your Child, O
God. In the name of Jesus, I cast out all evil spirits that afflict me, get
lost! You no longer have the right to afflict me as I belong fully to Jesus
Christ now. Father in Heaven, lead me with the spirit of Jesus that I may live
more righteously in Your sight. In the name of Jesus, I have prayed. Amen.