Becoming the Person God Created You To Be
God wants you to see yourself from his point-of-view. As you do, you will recognize the tremendous value God has placed on you and his desires for your life.
But before God’s vision for you can become a reality, he must help transform you into the kind of person he can use to fulfill his purposes, that is, a person with an increasingly more intimate relationship with him, a person whose values and priorities become increasingly aligned with his, and a person whose character becomes increasingly more conformed to the image of Christ.
Transformation is instantaneous and a life-long process
For personal transformation, you must learn to see yourself as God sees you. Who are you really? There are three perceptions of “you”:
- who you think you are,
- who others think you are, and
- who God knows you are.
The “new you” actually came into being the instant you invited Jesus into your life as your Savior and Lord. 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!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
When you were spiritually 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 this spiritual transformation. It is foolish to live in the past by continuing to make decisions based on your old identity. However, this new discovery and renewal of your self-perception is a life-long process.
By faith, continually accept the reality of who you are in Christ and allow God to help you conform to your new identity. Start believing what God says is true about you. When we establish our identity in how God sees us, we can confidently live in the assurance of his perfect plan for our lives.
Transformation results in character development
Spiritual maturity shapes character. And that is of prime importance to God and should be to you as well.
Character is the essence of who we are. Our character is comprised of the values and convictions that have been shaped by our relationships and life experiences. Character is developed over time.
When the prophet Samuel was sent by God to anoint a new king of Israel to replace Saul, God cautioned him,
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “’Don’t be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way people do. People look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” — 1 Samuel 16:7
Whenever God reveals something he wants to change in what you think, say or do, stop and ask the Holy Spirit to help bring about the changes in character necessary for successful Christian living. Otherwise God’s ideal plan for your life will be jeopardized through character flaws and you will miss out on becoming all God wanted you to be.
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.
“Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance, character, and character, hope.” — Romans 5:3-4
Through adversity, God gives us the opportunity to grow in our spiritual character so we reflect more of his values and strength. But it is our choice whether we allow that transformation to take place. If we harbor resentment toward God and others, we will be diminished instead of strengthened.
“And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” — Romans 8:28
God is uses times of adversity to develop your character. It’s those potholes, detours and difficulties of life that provide opportunities to reshape or refine your attitudes and actions.