By: Alice A. Pickens
As a born-again child of God, we are a new creation in Christ Jesus…born of the Spirit…born from above! We are not a makeover as the world talks about (but knows only too well it does not last). We are now an eternal child of the living God. What does this really mean & how do we embrace it?
First of all, we need to realize that since there is only ONE TRUE GOD, there is only ONE TRUE RELIGION. What is unique to being a follower of Jesus Christ is that we are the only ones TRULY BORN AGAIN. This is because it is not possible to be born again aside from receiving Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord. This is a work of the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
One of the key elements that I want to focus on first is that as a born-again believer in Christ Jesus, we now have a new image to work on and an esteem to be built upon what God says…not self. As we know, self- image is one the most fragile issues in our society. The problem is…SELF. Either we are full of pride, void of any confidence or somewhere in between. Self-image is such a fragile issue because it is so dependent upon background, environment, appearance, money, friends, fame…etc. It is subject to change on a daily basis. This is why as a born again believer, we now are so blessed to be able to have our esteem built upon WHO GOD SAYS WE ARE…what He has wanted for us all along. When we first get saved, our spirits are born again…but, the transformation of the TOTAL YOU has just begun.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (KJV) 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
As this scripture says…it is His image we are to see. This comes about as we spend time beholding the GLORY OF THE LORD in the Word of God. Our esteem is no longer dependent upon our status in life, our good looks, our wealth, our brains, etc. We are to identify with Jesus Christ. For example, how in the world did John the Baptist become the man of God He was called to be? A man living in the wilderness, eating locust & honey, and clothed in camel’s hair & leather about the loins. One crying in the wilderness for all to repent…preparing the way of the Lord. He got a vision of what he was called to do & who he was to be. When God’s image of you becomes alive in you…it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks or says. Our focus now becomes…what pleases the Lord and who we are destined to be. This takes MUCH beholding of Jesus and listening to Him because the world and the flesh do not turn loose easily.
Our first job is to BELIEVE what the Word says about us. God wants us to see ourselves has He sees us. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to paint a picture of who we are “IN CHRIST”. He can paint it on our minds and in our hearts so that we have the capacity to walk in it. We cannot walk where we CAN NOT SEE. Just as an artist paints, it starts with the foundation and keeps adding layer upon layer until you can recognize what has been painted on the canvas. The REAL YOU is all that JESUS says you are IN HIM!
Philemon 1:6 (KJV) That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
As you look at the definition of acknowledge, there are five things that can be pulled from it.
- To Know
- To Believe
- To Confess
- To Be Thankful For
- To understand the responsibility that comes with it
As we take this and apply it to Philemon 6, you can see how this can impact the communication of our faith. When we know, believe, confess, be thankful for, & understand the responsibility of who we are IN CHRIST JESUS…it will become active, effective, & powerful. As we live by the Word of God instead of how we feel or what others say…we experience an esteem built upon God’s Words of us. An esteem that is full of confidence and faith…but, wrapped in humility and love. Why is this? Because we have learned that we are ACCEPTED in Christ Jesus based upon what He has done & it is only Him who we are called to please.
Ephesians 1:6 (KJV) To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.
The main thing we need to realize is that God does the work in us as we avail ourselves to Him. We determine the speed we mature by the amount of time we give to Him. So, in conclusion for now, remember it is God who chooses those less esteemed by our society and uses them for His glory. God cannot use someone who is full of pride nor someone who has no courage.
This is what it is all about…being used by God for His glory…not ours (letting Christ live through us)!
I enclosed a poem that my husband wrote some years ago that speaks to this spiritual phenomenon.
WHEN YOU LOOK INTO THE MIRROR
by Randall E. Pickens, Sr.
When You Look Into The Mirror
By: Randall E. Pickens, Sr.
When you look into the mirror;
Can you see what God would see?
Can you see a new creation;
One that’s beautiful and free?
Can you see the face of confidence;
One that knows that you can be;
Everything God’s word said you could be?
You’ve been born to a royal family.
You’ve been born of incorruptible seed.
And, now that Jesus is the head of your family tree.
Then, in the mirror it’s his image you should see.
When you look into the mirror;
Can you see what God would see?
Can you see that you’re the reason;
He sent Jesus to the tree?
Can you see that he’d have done it all;
Had you been the only one?
Can you see that he regards you as a son?
He made you more than a conqueror;
You didn’t have to fight the war.
He placed you on his mountain top;
To watch the battle from afar.
He gave you his solemn word;
So use it like a sword.
Let your life reflect the truth of his word.
Views: 458