A New Creation | Class 4 - "New Picture of Self" | Malcolm Cox

Introduction
- Do you like how you look? Have you ever seen yourself on video?
- However, our inner view of ourselves matters much more than wether we have an accurate picture of our physical behaviour.
- Our picture of ourselves is shaped by our picture of God. Correcting the latter is vital before attempting to heal the former.

Why is my picture of myself so critical?

Christians must take this seriously because our growth into being a new creation depends on cooperating with God in his grand project to transform us into ever-increasing Christ-likeness. 2 Corinthians 3.18
To be healthy spiritually means working for God from a place of acceptance, not for acceptance. Do we truly believe there is nothing we can do to make God love us more and there is nothing we can do to make God love us less? It is vital that we find a way to deliberately surrender our need to work to be accepted.

We do this by allowing God to re-shape our picture of ourselves by contemplating what He says about us. Let's look at some Scriptures to help us with this.

What can we say about who we are?

a. You are made in the image of God - Genesis 1.27
There is a distinction between the animals and us -- the animals came from ‘the land’ - Genesis 1.24-25
Humanity is distinctive in that we were created directly by God. The animals come from the earth, we come from above.
God's creative work prior to creating humans was 'good'.
After creating humans, God said his work was very good,
Genesis 1.31
We are immeasurably valuable to God because we are his beloved little image bearers, and this makes a difference to who we think we are. It also changes what we think about other people and how we treat them. More on that later.

b. You are already accepted as God's beloved
God wants to include us in His love, John 3.16
God sent Jesus because he already loved us, not so we would become lovable. We don't always feel beloved, but God knows this and stands ready to reassure us - just like he did with Jesus.
Jesus - Mark 1.11, Matthew 17.5
If even Jesus needed reminder and affirmation -- how about us!

We are as beloved to Jesus as he is beloved by Father God - John 15.9

c. You are deeply 'warped'
- "Scripture describes man as curved in upon himself to such an extent that he bends not only physical, but also spiritual goods towards himself, seeking himself in all things." Martin Luther
- Agape love is needed for us to be in healthy relationships, but we are incapable of this without God.
- Need God to un-bend us. Can be painful, take time.

James 1.2-4
- This work of God needs to be done not so we become loveable but because he loves us and so that we can better represent him in this world.

d. I am one in whom Christ dwells and delights, John 14.23
- God isn't careless about where he lives. When he set up his home in you He did so because he loves you. Your heart is the ideal home as far as He is concerned.

Conclusion
Some suggested practices to help you piece together a more healthy picture of yourself. In other words, to see yourself as God sees you.
- Every morning, when you wake up, ask God to give you an awareness of his personal love for you. Notice what surfaces when you do this. Keep asking...
- Try repeating this phrase at points in the day: "I am one in whom Christ dwells and delights -- and l."  Notice what surfaces when you do this
- Meditate on a Scripture reassuring you of God's love such as Romans 8.38-39
- Study Psalm 23 and the attitude of the shepherd (God) to his sheep (you).
- Pray through Psalm 103 -- a Psalm which praises God for His compassion and forgiveness. It emphasises God's love and mercy towards those who fear Him.

Here are some questions that might prompt a fruitful discussion with your friends:

- What knocks your view of yourself off-balance? For me, it is when I am criticised.
- What has helped you develop a more accurate picture of yourself so far? Again, a picture of yourself more in line with how God views you.
- Do you have any favourite Scriptures that help you hold on to a picture of yourself as God sees you?
- Can you sense God prompting you to focus on a particular aspect of how you view yourself? If so, what is that?
- What is it about the way Jesus sees himself (the way he perceives Father God sees him) that stands out to you?

I hope you found these thoughts helpful. Drop me a line if you have any questions or feedback: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

God bless, Malcolm

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