<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world does a really good job of making us think we\u2019re 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\u2019re 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\u2019ve killed a mini-image of God,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhoever sheds human blood,
by humans shall their blood be shed;
for in the image of God
has God made mankind\u201d Genesis 9:6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The point isn\u2019t about whether capital punishment is right or wrong, but the value that God places on human life simply because we\u2019re made in His image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019re an emblem of Him. If a $100 dollar bill is dirtied, folded, perhaps even a little torn on the edge, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
THE POWER OF ADOPTION <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n But even if we\u2019re made in God\u2019s image and bear eternal value, we still need to be reunited with the One who made us. We\u2019re 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\u2019s perfect Fatherhood. Paul describes it this way,<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters<\/em> of God. 15 <\/sup><\/strong>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<\/em> by which we cry out, \u201cAbba! Father!\u201d (Romans 8:14-15).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019s 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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Understanding the fatherhood of God is nothing short of revolutionary. Even if we know we\u2019re 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\u2019s nothing to really hold on to. But if God is our Father, it means that no matter what happens we\u2019ll 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\u2019s love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 <\/sup><\/strong>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 <\/sup><\/strong>Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 <\/sup><\/strong>Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died\u2014more than that, who was raised\u2014who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 <\/sup><\/strong>Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 <\/sup><\/strong>As it is written,<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor your sake we are being killed all the day long; 37 <\/sup><\/strong>No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 <\/sup><\/strong>For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 <\/sup><\/strong>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\u201d Romans 8:31-39<\/p>\n\n\n\n INDESTRUCTIBLE IDENTITY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If God is our judge and He\u2019s declared us innocent through Christ, we become immune to accusations. If God has defeated death and we die, we\u2019ll still be safe in His arms. If His love is unchanging and He\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is why it\u2019s 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\u2019ve been adopted into God\u2019s family, or whether we\u2019re still living on that sinking iceberg. If you haven\u2019t made God your Father through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus, here\u2019s some steps to do that. But for those of us who can already call God our Abba, it\u2019s important to remind ourselves of our true identity. We are not who the world says we are, we\u2019re not even who we say we are, we\u2019re who He says we are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The world does a really good job of making us think we\u2019re 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). 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we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n