The world does a really good job of making us think we’re the opposite of who God created us to be. For starters, the Bible says that all humans are made in His image (Genesis 1:26). Regardless of whether we’re believers or unbelievers, good looking or physically unattractive, disabled or abled, rich or poor, every human on earth is a mini reflection of their Creator. In Genesis 9 after the flood, God even tells Noah that if someone kills a human then they should suffer capital punishment because they’ve killed a mini-image of God,
“Whoever sheds human blood,
by humans shall their blood be shed;
for in the image of God
has God made mankind” Genesis 9:6.
The point isn’t about whether capital punishment is right or wrong, but the value that God places on human life simply because we’re made in His image.
This puts the opinion of others, and even ourselves, in proper perspective. Regardless of the value (or lack of it) that the world puts on us, God sees each life as intrinsically sacred because we’re an emblem of Him. If a $100 dollar bill is dirtied, folded, perhaps even a little torn on the edge, it’s still worth $100 because it still bears the insignia of the government. All people likewise bear the insignia of their heavenly Creator, and our intrinsic value never changes.
THE POWER OF ADOPTION
But even if we’re made in God’s image and bear eternal value, we still need to be reunited with the One who made us. We’re masterpieces who need to be made right with the artist who gave us life. Sin is a destructive, alienating force, but if we approach God through the work of His Son the Bible says we can be adopted into His family. Once this takes place, the fears and weight of this world melt away in light of God’s perfect Fatherhood. Paul describes it this way,
“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:14-15).
Abba is the Hebrew equivalent to our Papa, or Dad, and through Christ we get the unbelievable opportunity to call God our Abba. Not all earthly dads are warm and secure, or even present, but deep down we know that’s who dads are supposed to be. Statistically we know that those who lack an earthly father are far more likely to suffer from problems such as incarceration, poverty, mental health issues, self-harm, or suicide. How much more do those who lack a heavenly father suffer from existential insecurity about their identity in life?
Understanding the fatherhood of God is nothing short of revolutionary. Even if we know we’re intrinsically valuable, fear can still dominate our lives. Living in a heavenly fatherless world is a bit like living on an iceberg that could sink at any moment-there’s nothing to really hold on to. But if God is our Father, it means that no matter what happens we’ll always land on solid ground. Having that kind of acceptance and security unmasks the lies we tell ourselves about our identity. Instead of letting our circumstances define us, God defines us as His family, and we define our circumstances through that lens. This is why the Bible calls us more than conquerors and reminds us that nothing in this life can separate us from God’s love.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:31-39
INDESTRUCTIBLE IDENTITY
If God is our judge and He’s declared us innocent through Christ, we become immune to accusations. If God has defeated death and we die, we’ll still be safe in His arms. If His love is unchanging and He’s our Father, it means nothing can take away His affection. In other words, the Fatherhood of God roots out every source of fear and anxiety this world can give us and replaces it with the firm foundation of His love.
This is why it’s important to remind ourselves that what people think of us, and even what we think of ourselves is ultimately meaningless. All that matters is whether we’ve been adopted into God’s family, or whether we’re still living on that sinking iceberg. If you haven’t made God your Father through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus, here’s some steps to do that. But for those of us who can already call God our Abba, it’s important to remind ourselves of our true identity. We are not who the world says we are, we’re not even who we say we are, we’re who He says we are.