THE GOD IMAGE: THE SELF-IMAGE, PART 2

THE GOD IMAGE: SELF-IMAGE, part 2

“…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).

“…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV).

“...[NOT]...an image..[or self image]... in the form of corruptible man (yours or society’s “ideal,”  or human standard of an image) ...” (Romans 1:21-25 NASB).

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The struggles and suffering is OVER. You no longer have to try to GET, GRAVEL, or LONG to BECOME some IDEAL, human image.

The God IMAGE is GIVEN to you as a GIFT through the indwelling Holy Spirit. You are ALREADY a NEW CREATION with a NEW IMAGE

You are ALREADY a new personality “IN” Jesus Christ. You are RELEASED from the old identity shaped by the sin nature. The righteous (NEW CREATIONS) choose to trust in and depend upon God by allowing the indwelling Holy Spirit to EMPOWER them to walk in their NEW FREEDOM by learning to LIVE FREE .“...you have no obligation to do (build an identity based on the old self-image) what your sinful nature urges you to do…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“… if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…I WILL GIVE you a new heart (Jesus, the God image, is sown into your heart making it brand new), and I will put a new spirit in you (the indwelling Holy Spirit is “IN” you)…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “ ….. THE WORD (Jesus, the God IMAGE) …was sown in THEIR HEARTS…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “…Jesus Christ (the God image) is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…[you]…have this treasure in [your]…earthen vessel (body)...” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV).

YOU ALREADY HAVE A “NEW” IMAGE. “…God … SENT forth the Spirit of His Son (Jesus, the God image) “INTO” [Y]OUR… HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).

YOU JUST NEED TO BE CONFORMED TO “THAT” NEW IMAGE. “…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV).

THAT IMAGE WAS GIVEN TO YOU! “…[you]…have this treasure in [your]…earthen vessel (body)...” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV). “…by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).  

You are a “LIVING SOUL” again. You are spiritually ALIVE.“….Jesus Christ (the GOD image) maketh thee WHOLE (AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “... and man became a living soul …” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

“…you are not controlled by your sinful nature (OR ITS IMAGES). You are controlled by the Spirit (THE GOD IMAGE) if you have the Spirit of God living in you …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“…the Son (the GOD IMAGE) ... [made]... you (free AND), yoU...[are]... free indeed …” (John 8:36 KJV).

“…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).  “...The Spirit GIVES life...” (John 6:63 NIV).

“...He is ... God (the Holy Spirit IS THE ONE) who made the world and everything in it ...He himself gives life (spiritual life) and breath (existence) to everything...” (Acts 17:24-25 NLT).

“...[God’s] …Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of  it ALL]…” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). Thus, “... and man (woman) became a living soul (again!) …” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). “... [THEY ARE RELEASED FROM WORLDLY IMAGES AND ARE]...free indeed …” (John 8:36 KJV).

These SCRIPTURES are the TRUTH about God’s people, the REDEEMED AND RIGHTEOUS. It is the TRUTH that sets them FREE.“… thy (GOD’S) word is truth…” (JOHN 17:17 KJV).

“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN( SINFUL IMAGES)? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord (Jesus, the God IMAGE)…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).   Jesus had another name. “… His name is called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). .“… thy word is truth…” (JOHN 17:17 KJV). “… the Son (Jesus Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit. the Word of God, the God IMAGE, etc.,)…shall make you FREE...” (John 8:36 KJV).

There is a CONFLICT between the OLD IDENTITY, images, and personality that has been heavily informed and shaped by the sin nature and the NEW.

Your NEW IDENTITY as a NEW CREATION in CHRIST JESUS, the indwelling Holy Spirit, wants what God wants. “…The sinful nature (body of flesh) wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the [indwelling Holy] Spirit wants ...These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not FREE to carry out your good intentions...” (Galatians 5 NLT).

THE SOLUTION: “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

WHAT WILL THE WORD OF GOD (the SOLUTION) DO TO HELP FREE YOU FROM YOUR “OLD” IDENTITY?  “...the washing of water by the word (of god)...” (Ephesians 5:25-25 KJV). “….ye are SANCTIFIED (cleaned) …[BY THE WORD]…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV). “….ye are SANCTIFIED (cleaned) … by the SPIRIT of our GOD…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV).“…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT…” (John 6:63 KJV). ).

 “…Create in me a clean heart, O God…” (Psalms 51:10 KJV). “…Christ ….loved the church, and GAVE himself for it; That he might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE it, with the washing of water by the word (of god)….” (Ephesians 5:25-25 KJV). “… The God of peace Himself  SANCTIFY  (cleanse) you ENTIRELY…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB). “...God has chosen you from the beginning for SALVATION through SANCTIFICATION (cleansing power) by the Spirit and faith (trust in and dependency upon) ... the truth…” (2 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB “….ye are SANCTIFIED (cleaned) …in the name of the Lord Jesus (the Word), and by the SPIRIT of our GOD…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV).

As my sister/friend, forever (SFF), Pastor Linda M. Wilson says, “...It’s SIMPLE, but it AIN’T easy...”

Before you become a NEW CREATION, your old personality identified you, defined you, and determined how you engage, interact, and experience the world around you.

Your old personality was developed by experiences that started early in life and shaped behaviors that formed character traits that pretty much stayed the same over your lifespan.

Those earlier experiences put information into your heart and mind that produced particular character traits and behaviors.

The  character traits and behaviors came from the information put into the heart, which also shaped your personality and influenced your acclimation to life around you.

Behavior is observed by what someone DOES. What someone DOES will IMPACT emotions, intellect, the heart, and if done over a long period of time, it will develop character traits.

CHARACTER TRAITS become PERSONALITY and will DEFINE who a person is within their heart.

Experts say personality is also considered temperament and temperament is considered a person’s NATURE. A person’s nature is basically what AFFECTS behavior.

From a spiritual perspective, personality grows out of the kind of NATURE/ TEMPERAMENT a person is born with.“….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).

Differences in the expression of that SINFUL NATURE/temperament are influenced by  how a person experiences life.

People usually have life experiences that reinforce or encourage different expressions of that SINFUL NATURE/temperament, which lays the foundation for personality.

The WAY a person learns, is trained, shaped, or is conditioned to express that SINFUL NATURE/temperament, over the lifespan, will develop into personality.

Somewhere during the person’s lifespan, some experts, believe the personality becomes FIXED and impossible to CHANGE.

The SINFUL NATURE/temperament plays a major role in personality, whether we like it or not. Personality is SHAPED by experiences in a world, under the POWER of the EVIL ONE. Personality is DEVELOPED in environments, under the POWER of the EVIL ONE. “...the whole world lies under the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV).

The EVIL ONE, in one way or another, overt or covert, will IMPACT how the personality is SHAPED. The constant, ongoing, unavoidable interaction of the SINFUL NATURE/temperament and the EVIL ONE’s environments will influence how the personality is expressed through one’s moods and behaviors. “….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).

For example, by NATURE you are a SINNER. “….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).“…[Now]... all have sinned (all have been born with a sin nature)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). “…all have ... come short of the glory of God (all are born missing or WITHOUT the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).

"…That which is born of the flesh is flesh…” (John 3:6 KJV). “….I was born a sinner (I was born without the indwelling Holy Spirit)—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).

Growing up you may have been “basically” even -tempered, and laid-back, but a run in with a nasty person, in a different environment, may bring out a different side of you and you find yourself cussing, being hot-tempered and angry.

This example shows that personality is heavily impacted by the underlying and powerful SINFUL NATURE.

Thus, not only are you shaped by the EVIL ONE’S environments through your various experiences, but the environments force you to develop traits, habits, and behaviors heavily influenced by the POWERFUL SINFUL NATURE.

The SINFUL NATURE is a reality.

“….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT)."…That which is born of the flesh is flesh…” (John 3:6 KJV). “….I was born a sinner (I was born without the indwelling Holy Spirit)—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).

Personality is shaped with the SINFUL NATURE as an innate and enduring part of its development.  A personality  includes a person’s belief’s about self, family, social and intimate relationships, religion, work ethics, mental and physical health, perceptions of morality, how one loves, or the many other aspect of life.

All these aspects of personality is fundamental tied to the SINFUL NATURE. Why is this important, because people go around saying people are “basically” good, but the bible is saying people are “basically” a sinful nature. “….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT)."…That which is born of the flesh is flesh…” (John 3:6 KJV). “….I was born a sinner (I was born without the indwelling Holy Spirit)—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).

The personality, which is tied fundamentally to the SINFUL NATURE, shapes so much of who a person is, or how they define themselves, or how they function in day to day life that they may not fully be aware of it.

The SINFUL NATURE/temperament, like it or not, has an effect on PERSONALITY, which impacts how a person’s character traits are developed and how they will behave.

There are some parts of one’ s personality that may become FIXED. Most people come to believe some of their character traits are hopelessly unchangeable.

They are right, no matter how much they try it is impossible to change the part of their personality,  shaped, molded, trained, or influenced by their POWERFUL SINFUL NATURE/ temperament, which is biologically (body of flesh) determined.

The SINFUL NATURE/temperament is WHO human beings are innately and their behaviors are what they DO as a result of that NATURE.

The SINFUL NATURE/temperament is the underlying, innate, enduring  problem that exists in personality. That NATURE makes it impossible to fundamentally change a person’s heart, their emotions, or the way they think, or the way they behave from day to day.

Even when people attempt to change their personalities, the underlying, innate, and enduring SINFUL/NATURE, will be a part of it. “…The flesh (the sinful nature’s effort to change) profiteth nothing…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…Human effort (the sinful nature’s effort) accomplishes nothing….” (John 6:63 NLT).

Many things happens in life to IMPACT the personality’s emotional climate or behavior such as trauma, moving, new jobs, therapy, developing new habits, having a body, death, marriage, etc., but it doesn’t change the innate, enduring, or underlying SINFUL NATURE/temperament. “...The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin (through the sinful nature)…I [am] …a slave to the ..[innate, enduring, etc.]... sin that is … within me (within my sinful nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

The innate, enduring, and underlying SINFUL NATURE/temperament is impossible to change without God, the Holy Spirit. “….I was born a sinner (I was born without the indwelling Holy Spirit)—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).

 “…The ...[sinful]... nature ...never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

Some people may WANT to change. “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

 “…The sinful nature wants to do evil... so you are not FREE to carry out your good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

No matter how much effort a person puts into changing their SINFUL NATURE/temperament, they can’t. “...The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin (through the sinful nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).  “...Apart from [Jesus Christ]… [mankind cannot]... do nothing [they cannot change their nature]…” (John 15:5 NIV).

According to research many people WANT to change their personality, because they are dissatisfied with it. They want a NEW self-image. “...Who will free me from this life that is dominated by [the sin nature and its images]?” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

Unfortunately, personality is intertwined with what you are by NATURE and without Jesus Christ, “that” NATURE cannot be changed. It “IS” what it “IS” a SINFUL NATURE. “…Apart from [Jesus Christ]… [mankind cannot]... do nothing [they cannot change their nature]…” (John 15:5 NIV). “….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT)."…That which is born of the flesh is flesh…” (John 3:6 KJV).

“...Who will free me from this life that is dominated by [the sinful nature]?” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

“...I [am] …a slave to the ..[innate, enduring, etc.]... sin that is … within me (within my sinful nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

“...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

“...The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin (through the sinful nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

“….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT)."…That which is born of the flesh is flesh…” (John 3:6 KJV).

“...The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

God did NOT sent Jesus to CHANGE your SINFUL NATURE, he sent him to DELIVER and RELEASE you totally from it!

To CHANGE means to MAKE the SINFUL NATURE different like when you try to make it into a NEW self-image.

TO DELIVER means to be SET FREE and HEALED from the SINFUL NATURE by BECOMING a NEW CREATION.

“…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “...For in him we live, and move, and have our being (OUR NEW IMAGES, PERSONALITY, ETC.); as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring...” (Acts 17:28 KJV).

Is anything too hard for God to DELIVER you from? “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).

Is your DELIVERANCE and RELEASE from the SINFUL NATURE impossible? “…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV).

 “… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

SELF-IMAGE is something you try to earn, deserve, or become worthy of obtaining.

God IMAGE is something you can’t earn, deserve, or become worthy of obtaining, YET it is a indwelling GIFT freely GIVEN to the righteous!

“…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV).

“…[you]…have this treasure in [your]…earthen vessel (body)...” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).

“…God … SENT forth the Spirit of His Son (the God image) “INTO” [Y]OUR… HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB) “…IT IS THE GIFT  OF GOD …” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).

“… since it is through God’s kindness (the indwelling God image)… it is not by [your]… good works. God’s grace …[makes all his actions toward us]…—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:6 NLT). “…by the GRACE of God I am what I am (a new creation with the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).

So...“…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV).