WE ALL WITH AN OPEN FACE BEHOLDING AS IN A GLASS; ARE CHANGED FROM GLORY TO GLORY !!!

WE ALL WITH AN OPEN FACE BEHOLDING AS IN A GLASS; ARE CHANGED FROM GLORY TO GLORY !!!

2 CORINTHIANS 3:18
A person self-image determines how that person relates to the world.

A poor self-image can be attributed to a person family background or an environment in which the person was raised. Some of the negative self-images we have come from our daily interaction with people and how they viewed us.

Some also come from life experiences and they all come together to shape us and make us who we are. A positive self-image bread self-confidence and can contribute to a person physical health. We normally look to the world and make choices through the lenses of who we are. Therefore, a healthy one is imperative for our well-being.

There is a huge difference between a Christian self-image and the world self-image. A world self-image is derived from within the person him or herself. The emphasis is based on believing in themselves and by so doing can attain anything they set their mind on. It source is self-centered.

On the other hand, a Christian self-image comes from outside source.

A Christian self-image is founded and grounded in our position in Christ; that is who you are in Christ. This kind of image has nothing to do with a person feeling or circumstances but has to do with our union with Christ. That union with Christ is also known in theology as imputation of Christ. It is best understood by using credit system we have in America as an example.

When you are given a credit card, the money you spend on the card is not yours. It is somebody money. What we derived from our union with Christ is not our own but what He has accomplished on the cross for us.

Most Christians although have come to the Lord but are still struggling with the feeling of unworthiness and defeat. They fail to understand that although their circumstances have not changed but their position now has changed completely. The devil has told them lies that they are good for nothing and have bought into those lies. I challenge you in the Lord today that if you will begin to see yourself as who you are in Christ, your attitude and your life will never be the same.

How Do We Defeat This Inner Struggle of Self Pity and Unworthiness?

· We can defeat poor self-image by renewing our mind. The change start not from outside; rather the change start from inside. Every morning we stand before our mirror and the reflection of the mirror reveals the blemishes that have to be corrected. The same way the bible says we with the open face beholding as a mirror the glory of Christ; are changed from glory to glory.

The only way we can defeat failure and self- condemnation is to continually stand in the mirror of God's word and believe what scripture says who you are in Christ. If you feel rejected, the mirror of the word is telling you that you are beloved and special of God. Your circumstances might not change immediately but you will begin to see a change within your inner man.

· We can also defeat poor self-image through the blood of Jesus Christ. One of the powerful tools of Satan to bring us under bandage of self pity is guilt. Guilt is good because it is the internal moral alarm God has put in our mind to let us know that we are doing something wrong.

But if guilt is not brought under the blood of Jesus and dealt with properly, it becomes the powerful tool in the hands of devil to bring your self image down. For example, your past mistakes are the ways the enemy keeps reminding you that because of that sin God does not love you. Any time you open your mouth to pray, the enemy remind you of that sin and you begin to feel unworthy before God.

BY REV. ISAAC OWUSU-APPIAH

LIVING HOPE ASSEMBLES OF GOD - SPRINGFIELD VA.