Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not
appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be
like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this
hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
As children of the
sinful first Adam, we were obstinate and ornery, helpless and hopeless, with
nothing in ourselves to commend us to God. But God's love overruled our un-loveliness.
Through Christ God provided a way for us into His family. As God's adopted
child, you have been given a new identity and a new name. You're no longer a
spiritual orphan; you're a son or daughter of God. Romans 8:16, 17, tells us,
"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of
God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with
Christ."
If you're beginning
to think you are someone special as a Christian, you're thinking right--you are
special! Your specialness is not the result of anything you have done, of
course. It's all God's doing. All you did was respond to God's invitation to be
His child. But as a child of God, in union with God by being in Christ, you
have every right to enjoy your special relationship with your new Father.
How important is
it to know who you are in Christ? There are countless numbers of Christians who
struggle with day-to-day behavior because they labor under a false perception
of who they are. They see themselves as sinners who hope to make it into heaven
by God's grace, but they can't seem to live above their sinful tendencies. Why
can't they live the victorious Christian life? Because they have a
misperception of who they are in Christ.
But look again at
the hope-filled words of 1 John 3:2, 3. What is the believer's hope? That he
will someday be changed into Christ's image? That's part of it, but that's only
a future hope. What is your hope for today and tomorrow? That you're a child of
God now! You must see yourself as a child of God in order to live like a child
of God. The blessed hope for the believer is "Christ in you, the hope of
glory" (Colossians 1:27).
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully
made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well”
(Psalm 139:14, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from
Joel and Victoria
Did you know that when you compare yourself to others or
wish you were like someone else, it’s like saying He just didn’t do a good job?
It’s actually saying, “God, why did You make me subpar? Why did You make me
less than?” Realize today, God didn’t make anyone inferior. He didn’t make any
person second class. No, you are a masterpiece! You are fully loaded and
totally equipped for the race that’s been designed for you!
Today, let your attitude be, “I may not look like someone
else or have the job that someone else has. That’s okay. Nobody will ever be a
better me. I’m anointed to be me. I’m equipped to be me!” Remember, it’s easy
to do what you are equipped to do. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to be
like someone else. Accept who God made you to be and embrace the good things He
has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for making me. Thank You for equipping
me to fulfill my destiny. Today I choose to focus on what You’ve placed in my
hand knowing that as I am faithful to You, You will direct my steps. I bless
You and praise You for who You are in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
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