So Long Insecurity, Remember Who You Are

This week was a different kind of week in the bible study.  We didn't go over many of the discussion questions, we watched a Simulcast from Beth Moore.  Today I am going to share some truths from the Simulcast plus some personal revelation as the Lord leads.

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:1

If you are a parent, you probably realize that your children imitate you, good or bad.  We are God's children and as God's child we should imitate God. 

The reason I do this blog is because God told me to "tell people who they are" and "tell them I love them."  So, if you wonder why I talk about our identity in Christ in abundance, that is the reason.  Our security level is directly related to how much we believe God loves us. 

When we KNOW we are beloved children of God, we act differently.

I know someone who every time their teenage son left the house, she would remind them...."Remember who you are, you are a {their last name} and a child of God."   How we think about ourselves is vitally influential in how we act.

Eph 5:1 starts with the word "Therefore", so you know the verses before that one were related to this one. Looking at those verses helps reveal more insight into what imitating God looks like.

Put on the new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4:24

This verse is power packed with punch.   We are NOT our old selves.  Do you see that?!!! We were created in true righteousness and holiness!  We are a new creation in Christ, but we have to be convinced of it by the renewing of our mind in God's Word (2 Cor 5:17). If you believe you are your old self, you will act like your old self.

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you. 
Ephesians 4:29-32.

Yikes!  I don't know about you, maybe you always do well with this and only speak everything positive and always forgive perfectly and immediately.  I am becoming more like Jesus, but I am still working on it!  These verses speak to me and penetrate my heart.  It says these things grieve the Holy Spirit. I don't want to grieve Him. 

If we ever want to be secure, we have to forgive.  Many times when we are offended, it is out of insecurity.  Maybe someone looks at you wrong or says something that rubs you the wrong way.  They may not have even meant anything by it, but it is our insecurity that causes us to be offended by it.  When we are secure, we let things go and we do not let ourselves get offended.

Everything comes back to love.

When we know we are loved, we love. When we know we are loved, we forgive.  When we know we have been graced by God, we give grace to others.

You can look at it as you have the power to forgive.  It is in your hands, it is in your control.  The other person may not even know they need forgiveness.  If we ever want to be secure, WE HAVE TO FORGIVE.

I want to leave you with this one question posed by Beth the other night....

How different would we be if we went into every situation knowing we are the one loved by God?  Would we act differently?  Would we stand up a little taller?  Would we let offenses role off our backs?

So, today I tell you as you walk out your door, "Remember who you are, you are the one He loves.  You are His child."