What you or I believe about God, determines what we believe about ourselves.
God defines who I am. God defines who you are. Nobody else does. (Genesis 1:27)
Not only does God define me and you, but He also defines whose we are – who we belong to. (Romans 8:14, John 8:44, Matthew 6:24)
If I know that I belong to God, that He has adopted me into His family – I am confident in my identity, knowing who and whose I am. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
God’s desire is to make known to us who and whose we are through the finished work of Jesus Christ so that there is no confusion. (John 17:3)
Just as a good earthly father gently takes hold of his child’s face with his hands on the child’s cheeks, their eyes locked in, he tenderly reminds his child of who and whose the child is – so is it with our Abba Father – but perfectly, because He is the never-changing, all-powerful, sovereign, good, loving, eternal, creator Abba Father.
Abba Father reminds His children throughout the Scriptures of who and whose they are because of the adoption transaction that was purchased and secured on the child’s behalf through the blood of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
It’s as if Abba Father gently takes hold of our face with His hands on our checks, eyes locked in, tenderly reminding us of who and whose we are:
You are mine and I define you (Galatians 4:6)
I purchased you with my Son’s blood (1 Peter 1:18-19)
I give you your every breath (Isaiah 42:5)
I give you your abilities and lack thereof (Exodus 4:11)
I walk with you on the mountaintop experiences in life (Psalm 72:16)
I walk with you in lamenting valleys (Psalm 23)
I know life can be hard, but focus on me in the circumstance (Matthew 14:22-33)
Trust me with the outcome. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
I am always with you (Matthew 28:20)
Nothing can separate us – no matter what you do or don’t do (Romans 8:31-39)
I hear you before you think (Psalm 139:4)
My Son showed you The Way in life – follow Him (John 14:6)
Ask me for wisdom (James 1:5)
Keep coming back to my Word (Hebrews 4:12)
Believe what I say (Hebrews 11:6)
Repent when you don’t (Acts 3:19)
When you get lost, I am always The Way (Luke 19:10)
My arms are open wide to receive you back at any time…don’t hesitate (Luke 15:11-32)
Keep pointing others to my Kingdom by planting and watering (Mark 1:15, 1 Corinthians 3:6)
Remember, I alone am in charge of the growth – even the growth in you (1 Corinthians 3:6)
I will receive you into my home because a room is being built for you (John 14:1-3)
You are mine and I define you (Isaiah 43:1)
So friend, do you know who and whose you are?