Identity Crisis
OPENING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, show me more of You that I might become more like You. Amen…
“So God created mankind in His Own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 NIV
REFLECT:
From the beginning we were created to reflect God’s character and His dominion into the world. In Genesis 1:27 it states that in the beginning God created us in His own image. “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Genesis 1: 28 NIV Satan wasn’t happy about this arrangement so he conjured up a plan. He tempted Eve by challenging her identity. “You can be like God’” he said and lured her into taking a bite of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. You ask, why did God put a tree in the middle of the Garden of Eden that was not to be touched? Because of God’s love He wanted a Kingdom of followers who freely choose Him, not forced robots that have no choice. The Tree of the knowledge of good and evil is God’s way of giving us free will to choose to obey Him or not. Without this tree our choice would never be challenged.
As Adam and Eve ate the fruit mankind’s identity was changed and sin entered into mankind’s hearts. This act brought on a major identity crisis to the human race.
APPLY:
But, would you like to hear the rest of the story? God sent His only Son, Jesus to redeem us and restore us. When Jesus died on the cross He paid the price and overcame our curse. When we make the choice to accept Jesus’ gift of salvation we can live our life reflecting Jesus’ identity instead of that of sin. As we grow in the knowledge of Christ the more we will become like Him. This is a lifetime adventure. When we continually choose the Kingdom of God over worldly treasures we are showing God that we choose Him.
Often we overlook the obvious. Don’t underestimate the simple truths of God. As we meditate on our identity remember that Christ gives us a new life. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, help me to become more like you. When others look at me I pray they will see Jesus in me! Amen