Knowing who you truly are begins with knowing who God is. As human beings created in the image of God, we cannot fully understand ourselves apart from understanding our Creator. This blog post explores how knowing God leads to true self-knowledge from an Evangelical and Charismatic Christian perspective.
Introduction
As Christians, God calls us to pursue Him above all else. But what does it really mean to know God? And how does knowing God lead to knowing ourselves?
Far too often, we go through life relying on our own limited understanding of who we are. We measure our worth by worldly standards of success, popularity, performance, and appearance. But God sees us differently. He created us in His image and cares infinitely more about the state of our soul than the state of our social media following or bank account.
Knowing God intimately changes everything about how we see ourselves. Here are some key takeaways:
- God’s love and acceptance of us is not based on our works or accomplishments. He loved us before we did anything to deserve it.
- Our primary identity is not our job title, relationship status, or any other worldly label. First and foremost, we are beloved children of God.
- God created each of us uniquely with specific gifts, talents and a purpose in this world that only we can fulfill for His glory.
- When we live by the Spirit instead of our fleshly desires, we experience freedom from sinful bondages and strongholds.
- Our worth is based on what God paid for us (His very life) not what society tries to tell us.
- We can rest in our true identity as heirs with Christ instead of striving to prove our worth.
Only through seeking an intimate relationship with God can we discover these spiritual truths about who we really are. As we dive into God’s Word, commune with Him in prayer, worship and meditation, our spiritual eyes open to see ourselves as He sees us. Knowing God is knowing ourselves as we were created to be.
God’s Love Unconditional
One of the most countercultural truths of Christianity is that God’s love and acceptance is not based on our performance or ability to earn it. The Bible makes it clear that even while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NKJV)
We often judge our own worthiness based on what we achieve, accomplish or accumulate in life. Society tells us that success, popularity and wealth equal value. But God flipped this notion upside down by sending His Son Jesus to die for us before we had done anything good!
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8 NKJV)
The fact that God’s love is unconditional and not based on our works frees us from striving. We do not need to try to earn God’s favor or acceptance through perfect behavior or performance. He loves us as we are.
Children of God
When we place our faith in Christ, the Bible says we become new creations and are adopted into God’s family as His children.
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26 NKJV)
Our core identity is not our career, relationship status, hobbies or other labels the world tries to put on us. First and foremost, we are beloved sons and daughters of the Most High God.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1 NIV)
As God’s children, we have access to all the rights and privileges that come with being part of His royal family. He disciplines us as a loving Father, gives us our daily bread, and assures us of our eternal inheritance in heaven. Meditating on our true identity as children of God changes everything about how we see ourselves and our purpose in this world.
Uniquely Created
Along with our identity as children of God, the Bible also makes it clear that each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made. God knit us together in our mother’s womb and created each of us with specific gifts and talents.
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. (Psalm 139:13-14 NKJV)
Every human being ever created is completely unique. Even identical twins have subtle differences. God could have mass produced us by the billions, but He deliberately crafted each of us as special one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
As Christians, we all share the same basic identity as children of God. But God also made us to reflect different aspects of His glory through our individual uniqueness. Our personalities, passions, gifts and life experiences all work together to make us who we are. God has a purpose for why He created us exactly as we are.
When we seek God first, He opens our eyes to see how we can use our uniqueness for His glory. We no longer need to feel insecure, compare ourselves, or wish we were more like someone else. We can embrace how God made us and confidently pursue His purpose for our lives.
Freedom from Sin
Knowing God provides freedom from the sinful habits, behaviors and mindsets that keep us in bondage. Many people battle addictions, depression, anxiety, pride, anger and other issues that they cannot seem to escape through self-discipline alone. But the Bible promises that the Spirit of God sets us free from sin as we walk in relationship with Him.
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36 NKJV)
But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:10-11 NASB)
Knowing theological truths is not enough. We need the ongoing empowerment of the Holy Spirit to transform us. As we grow closer to God in relationship, He changes our hearts and gives us victory over habitual sins. What we could never accomplish in our own power, God accomplishes through us by His Spirit.
Walking closely with God helps align our thoughts, feelings and actions with His truth. We can embrace freedom from sinful behaviors that do not reflect our new identities as children of the light.
Worth Based on Christ’s Sacrifice
Our worth is not determined by other people, material possessions, accomplishments or ability to meet cultural standards. The Bible says that we were bought with a price – the precious blood of Jesus.
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV)
Knowing that God Himself paid the ultimate price for us, we never need to question our infinite worth again. Jesus willingly took our place and purchased us from slavery to sin. When we meditate on the cross, we gain an eternal perspective about our true value.
Heirs With Christ
Not only are we children of God, but the Bible also says we are heirs with Christ and will share in His future heavenly glory.
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:16-17 NKJV)
Knowing that our eternal destiny is secured changes everything about how we view our purpose on earth. We can live with hope, joy and true confidence regardless of earthly circumstances. No poverty, sickness, rejection by others or personal failure can shake our core identity as co-heirs with Christ Himself!
This Biblical truth uproots all striving, people-pleasing and comparison. As children of the King, we do not need to fight for position, affirmation or accolades in this temporary world. We can rest securely in who God says we are.
Conclusion
Knowing God leads to knowing ourselves as He created us to be. His unconditional love frees us from performance-based acceptance. We discover our true identities as beloved children of God, uniquely gifted to fulfill eternal purposes. Walking closely with God allows His Spirit to transform us from the inside out. Meditating on Biblical truths about our identity in Christ uproots all insecurity.
May this brief exploration encourage you to seek the Lord above all else. As you pursue intimate relationship with God, ask Him to open your spiritual eyes to see yourself as He sees you. God’s truth will set you free to walk in the destiny He has prepared for your life.
