The True You

The True You

You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

IF YOU’VE EVER WATCHED KIDS playing sports, you’ve probably noticed an interesting phenomenon. They take on the characteristics of their favorite athlete—his or her demeanor, gestures, and attitude. It’s human nature; we grow into the image of things we love and the models that have made an impression on us. It’s easier to see in children, but it’s true for all of us—we become what we behold.

Young athletes don’t always become the stars they envision being, but they do develop the competitive and overcoming spirit they’ve seen in their heroes. A sense of identity has powerful effects, shaping almost everything about us. That’s why our spiritual lives are absolutely dependent on the spiritual identity we’ve embraced. If we’ve envisioned ourselves as always being weak, sinful, incapable, and destined for futility, we will probably live out that vision. If we want to be fruitful for the Kingdom but are steeped in old and unfruitful thought patterns, we are cultivating conflicting visions. If we long for God to answer our prayers of faith but can’t get past the memories of unanswered prayers in our hearts, our vision is compromised. If we know who we really are—chosen, beloved, a royal priesthood, God’s own possession, called by his name and imbued with his character—we will grow into that vision. It all depends on what we see.

That’s why Paul’s letters usually begin with statements and blessings of identity before ever getting to the instructions. New instructions and inspiration have little effect when superimposed on old, false identities. You are a constantly renewed person, and old things have passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17). Above all else, cultivate the true you—not the one you feel, but the one God has revealed—and make it your foundational vision. You will grow into it, base your prayers and faith on it, and live powerfully from the eternal truth of what God has done.

When we are born again, we all have visions, if we are spiritual at all, of what Jesus wants us to be.