Who are you really? There are three perceptions of “you”:
- Who you think you are
- Who others think you are
- Who God knows you really are
God wants you to see yourself from His point of view. As you do, you will recognize the tremendous value God places on you and His desires for your life.
Before God’s vision of you can become a reality, He must transform you into the person He can use to fulfill His purposes. That requires developing a growing relationship with Him, adopting His values and priorities, and conforming your character to that of Christ.
Transformation Is Instantaneous, But Also a Life-Long Process
When you were spiritually born again, God exchanged your old identity for a brand-new one.
The apostle Paul explains:
“So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!”
The instant you invited Jesus into your life as your Savior and Lord, the person God created you to be — the new you — was born.
“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” —Ephesians 4:21-24, NLT
When you were born again, God exchanged your old identity for a brand new one.
In the spiritual realm, you were instantly transformed into a totally new person with a new nature. On the outside, you still look the same but on the inside God gave you a new identity in Christ.
But now in the physical realm, you must learn who you are in Christ so you can make choices consistent with what God has already done through this spiritual transformation.
Because of your new birth in Christ, you can now begin to live in a way consistent with this spiritual transformation. It is foolish to live in the past by continuing to make decisions based on your old identity. This new discovery and renewing of your mind is a life-long process.
By faith, continually accept the reality of who you are in Christ and allow God to conform you to your new identity. Believe what God says about you is true. When you base your identity on how God sees you, you can confidently live in the assurance of His perfect plan for your life.
Transformation Results in Character Development
Your character is comprised of values and convictions that have been developed by your relationships and life experiences. Character is the essence of who you are and spiritual maturity shapes character. Character is developed over time.
God told the prophet Samuel:
“People look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” —Romans 12:2, NLT
You can’t effectively be used by God without first adopting His values and priorities. This means letting go of worldly values and embracing the principles found in Scripture. It involves a shift in perspective, where God’s desires become your desires, and His priorities become your priorities. This transformation requires a willingness to submit to God’s authority and to seek His guidance in all areas of your life.
God’s ultimate goal for you is to become more like Christ. This process of sanctification involves the Holy Spirit working in you to transform your character. Then, your life will bear the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). As you grow in Christlikeness, you become a vessel that God can use to accomplish His purposes.
When God reveals a change He wants you to make in what you think, say, or do — ask the Holy Spirit to help you bring about that transformation.
Transformation Happens by Overcoming Adversity
God uses adversity as a tool to refine us and increase our capacity for greatness. Our difficulties reveal our strength of character.
The apostle Paul explains:
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” —Romans 5:3-4, NLT
Adversity often tests our character and resilience. When we face challenges, we have the opportunity to develop qualities such as patience, perseverance, and courage. These experiences can strengthen our character and prepare us for future obstacles.
Through adversity, God gives us the opportunity to grow in our faith and spiritual character so we reflect more of his nature. But it is our choice whether or not we allow that transformation to take place. If we harbor resentment toward God and others, we will be weakened instead of strengthened through adversity.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”—Romans 8:28, NLT
Recognize adversity as God’s way of refining your attitude and actions.
Through God’s transforming process, you become the person He created you to be. It is a process that will increasingly conform you to the image of Christ.
Transformation Happens as We Come to Know God’s Love
When we come to see and know God as He really is — full of love for us — that understanding transforms us. Knowing and believing that we are loved by God fills a need in our heart and changes us from the inside out so that we actually become more and more like Jesus.
John tells us: “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (I John 4:16, ESV).
In God’s perfect design, transformation happens as we know and believe the love of God.
Paul prays:
“that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” —Ephesians 3:17-19, NKJV
We will never come to the end of knowing God’s love. But as we grow in understanding and believe it, we become more like Jesus and then we can love others with the same love God first gave to us.
As you develop this growing relationship with God, adopt His values and priorities, and allow your character to become more like Christ, you begin to see God’s vision of your life more clearly. This vision is not just about what you do, but who you are becoming. It involves using your unique gifts and talents to serve the Lord and advance His Kingdom. It means living a life that reflects God’s love and grace to the world around you.
Once you understand God’s vision of your life, you are called to live it out with faith and obedience. This involves stepping out in faith, trusting that God will equip you and guide you. It means being willing to take risks and make sacrifices for the sake of the Gospel. As you walk in obedience to God’s calling, you will experience the fulfillment and joy that comes from living out your God-given purpose.
As you embrace this process, you will begin to see God’s vision of your life unfold, and you will be equipped to live out your purpose with faith and obedience.