PureVolume

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Jn 1:1-5, 10-14)

I start with this passage because its one of my favorites. Its filled with great beauty and deep sadness. It gorgeously describes Jesus part in creation and his coming down into the created world. Then it powerfully describes how mankind rejected that which brought it into existence.
This passage also describes great hope: Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. Now if we are children, then we are heirsheirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). He gives us a title, a definition. We are his.

I find myself so often defining Me by the things I do. Whether it is in the areas I perform well or the areas in which I fall, I place who I am in those things. Some days I am Brandon the Worship Leader and other days I am Brandon the Coward. The problem with either of these two ways of defining Me is that they are not founded on the truth. One leads to pride and the other to oppression from guilt.

But God gives the truth about both definitions. I am not my own; I was bought at a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Thus my life is no longer in my hands. Every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17) and so I must humbly give thanks to God for the abilities I have and the successes I enjoy. Thus I can only boast in the cross of Christ (Gal. 6:14).

On the other side, there is grace in light of shame. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5: 6, 8). Jesus has reconciled us to God and presents us without blemish and free from accusation (Col. 1:22). God sees me as the man he intends me to be despite my constant failings. What more could I ask for in times of weakness other than knowing that the creator of my soul has pursued me even while I was set against him?

So from now on regard no one from a worldly point of view, (2 Cor. 5:16) including yourself. God sees you his sons and daughters. He has a new name for you (Rev. 2:17). You are who he says you are. No other opinion matters or is true.