Charles F. Stanley - Discovering Your Identity: Understand Who You Are in Gods Eyes

We all have an outlook on the world and on lifea way of looking at things, valuing things, and judging things. This perspective is something we have learned. As a result, many of us today have a wrong understanding about certain things, such as our identity as believers in Christ. We truly do not know who we are in Christ. We have misconceptions about why God forgives, what salvation means to our life on this earth, and who God has called us to be.

In order to gain the right perspective, we need to go to the Word of God... and stay there. Books on self-esteem may be helpful, but only if they are firmly based on Scripture. The Bible is Gods foremost communication on the subject of self-esteem and self-identity. We must return to it continually to discover who we are, how we are to respond to lifes situations, and how we are to interact with others. Our perspective is wrong if it doesnt match up with Gods truth.

This book can be used by you alone or by several people in a small-group study. At various times, you will be asked to relate to the material in one of the following four ways.

First, what new insights have you gained? Make notes about the insights you have. You may want to record them in your Bible or in a separate journal. As you reflect on your new understanding, you are likely to see how God has moved in your life.

Second, have you ever had a similar experience? You approach the Bible from your own unique background... your own particular set of understandings about the world that you bring with you when you open Gods Word. For this reason, it is important to consider how your experiences are shaping your understanding and allow yourself to be open to the truth that God reveals.

Third, how do you feel about the material? While you should not depend solely on your emotions as a gauge for your faith, it is important for you to be aware of them as you study a passage of Scripture and can freely express them to God. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit will use your emotions to compel you to look at your life in a different or challenging way.

Fourth, in what way do you feel challenged to respond or to act? Gods Word may inspire you or challenge you to take a particular action. Take this challenge seriously and find ways to move into it. If God reveals a particular need that He wants you to address, take that as His marching orders. God will empower you to do something with the challenge that He has just given you.

Start your Bible study sessions in prayer. Ask God to give you spiritual eyes to see and spiritual ears to hear. As you conclude your study, ask the Lord to seal what you have learned so you will not forget it. Ask Him to help you grow into the fullness of the nature and character of Christ Jesus.

I encourage you to keep the Bible at the center of your study. A genuine Bible study stays focused on Gods Word and promotes a growing faith and a closer walk with the Holy Spirit in each person who participates.