Who Am I?

Who Am I?

My favorite musical is Les Miserables, which follows the life of Jean Valjean, who transforms from a bitter, petty thief into a man who seeks redemption. In one scene, a man closely resembling Valjean, is about to be falsely imprisoned as Valjean. Valjean must make a choice: turn himself in, or let another man suffer in his place. Valjean delivers a short but beautiful song called, “Who Am I?’ during which he ponders who he is and what he will do. This is a turning point for our hero.

In our recent study, Heart of a Woman, we have been identifying and confronting the sin in our lives. This study is very illuminating. Like Valjean, we can all identify with having sinned and experiencing the consequences of sin. But we have also experienced God’s grace and goodness, and like Valjean, seek to walk in a way that is worthy of our Lord (Col. 1:10).

Questions to Ask

As we concluded our study, Laurie asked a series of questions for us to consider:

• Who am I and Whose am I?
• What determines Who I am?
• When did I become who I am?
• Where am I today? Where am I in my walk with the Lord?
• Why does any of this matter (i.e. Bible Study, time with the Lord)?
• How can we do this, live the Christian life?

These are great questions to consider. I am journaling my way through them.

For now, however, I would like to focus on ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Whose am I?’ Let’s see what God’s Word alone says about these questions. I pray it will be as encouraging to you as it was for me.

Who Does God say I Am?

When looking at myself, it can be easy to think about who I am and whose I am based on personality traits or the roles I play in daily life. However, before I get caught up in my human thinking (wrong thinking), I must speak the truth to myself.

God’s Word tells me (this list is not exhaustive):

• I am HIS child. (Jn. 1:12)
• I am a friend of Jesus. “but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” (Jn. 15:15)
• I have been justified and redeemed. “My old self was crucified with Christ, and I am no longer a slave to sin.” (Rom. 6:6, Rom. 3:24)
• I will not be condemned by God. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1)
• I am free. “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Rom. 8:2), (Gal. 5:1)
• I am a fellow heir with Christ. “And if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Rom. 8:17)
• I am a new creature in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17)
• I have been made one with all who are in Christ Jesus. “…for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28)
• I am blessed. “(God) has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” (Eph.1:3)

God Himself lovingly tells me—all believers—who we are. We may feel we are many things, but God Himself tells us the truth about who we are, and that is what matters.

Whose Am I?

What does the Bible tell me about whose I am? To whom do I belong? I am the Lord’s. “…you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.” (1 Cor. 3:23) I am not my own. I was bought at a price by the Lord.

It’s hard to walk out these truths. How do we claim them as truth when our culture bombards us with messages that are hostile to God’s promises?

By Faith

Faith is a gift, given to us by God, to help us live by His Truth and not be swayed by the world or the enemy. Faith is trusting in something we cannot see. (Heb. 11:1) Yet God makes Himself very real to believers. His Word reminds me again and again that I am His and He is working all things for good in my life (Rom. 8:28 ESV).

May you reflect upon these beautiful Truths. When life circumstances cause you to reflect and turn inward, choose to believe that if you have placed your faith in Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are first and foremost a child of the Almighty God’s! Believing this promise puts everything into perspective.

Growing in Grace