REAL LOVE WILL TRANSFORM YOU FOR THE BETTER!

 

            

TRANSFORMING LOVE: GOD CHANGES YOUR IDENTITY

“..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).

*

You are chosen, drawn, filled with a “measure of faith or spirit of faith”, immutably loved and changed into a NEW CREATION in Christ. God’s people are already CONFORMED into the IMAGE of Christ, but TRANSFORMATION depends upon them RENEWING their MINDS. “..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).

“…be conformed to the image of His Son (NEW CREATION)…” (Romans 8:29 KJV). 

“… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (PUTTING NEW INFORMATION IN THE HEART) ….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

“…from within, out of the heart of man (WOMAN), proceed (COMES) evil thoughts...” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).

 “…[God’s people’s minds]... are being [transformed]... every day [by God’s WORD]...” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NLT). “…In this world [God’s people]... are LIKE JESUS (his WORD)…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).

The “covenant unity” relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, also depends upon God’s people knowing who they are right now “in” Christ.  

They are God’s child, citizens of heaven, ambassadors of Christ and NEW CREATIONS IN Christ. “…God sent forth his Son…to redeem [his people]….that [they]...might receive the adoption of sons (daughters)…” (Galatians 4:4-5 KJV). “...[god’s people’s are]... citizenship is in heaven...” (Philippians 3:20 NIV). “...[God’s people]... are therefore Christ’s ambassadors....” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV). “..Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

These biblical truths contribute to the reality of God’s people’s new identity. It is IMPORTANT for God’s people to SEE themselves through their NEW IDENTITY, which will EMPOWER to BECOME like Jesus. “…In this world [New Creations]... are [to become]... like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “...[They are to become] … imitators of [Jesus]…” (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV). “… growing in every way more and more like Christ…” (Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT).

“... In him [God’s people]... live (have spiritual life, walk by faith, etc.,), and move (behave like new creations, produce spiritual fruit, display God’s glory, etc.,), and have [their]... being (new identity) ...For [they]...are ... his offspring (children)...” (Acts 17:28 KJV).

Letting their new identity DEFINE them requires God’s people to develop God-esteem through God’s powerful WORD. “…I (Jesus, God’s WORD) am come that THEY MIGHT have [spiritual]... life, and that THEY MIGHT have it more abundantly…” (John 10:10 KJV). “…NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS “ABLE” to do exceeding abundantly above all that [his people] ask or think, according to the POWER [of his indwelling Holy Spirit]... that worketh in [them]…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).

“…As many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NASB).

 “…This [was ALL]… God’s plan: [Everyone]… who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. [They]…are [ALL]… part of the same body, and enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus...” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT).

God-esteem is built through the WORD of God. It begins with KNOWING and exercising FAITH in the biblical truth that you have become a NEW CREATION “in Christ.” The bible says, those who have accepted Christ within their hearts are “….a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). God said: “…I will put a new spirit in you . …” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “ …My people …I will PUT my SPIRIT in you and you will LIVE ...’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).  “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).  “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in [his people]…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). 

“...[God’s people are]... reconciled to God by the death of his Son...” (Romans 5:10 KJV).

“…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [THEI]R HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…God has given [his people] his Spirit as PROOF that [they]… live (are spiritually alive) in him and he [dwells]…in [them]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT).  “…Jesus Christ is in [his people]…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).

God-esteem and the new creature work together to help “his” people become “...LIVING SOULS...” again. “...and man (woman) became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

Esteem are the thoughts that inform a person, on the way to view themselves and define their worth. Defining WORTH includes one’s perspective on their OWN value, level of self-respect, and what they, personally, believe they do or don’t deserve.  Some, not all, people have some level of esteem, called self-esteem.

“... In him [God’s people]... live (have spiritual life, walk by faith, etc.,), and move (behave like new creations, produce spiritual fruit, display God’s glory, etc.,), and have [their]... being (new identity) ...For [they]...are ... his offspring (children)...” (Acts 17:28 KJV).

Self-esteem reveals an individual’s personal evaluation of their own self-worth. Self-esteem also reveals how a person judges themselves based on their own opinion of self. “…[As]...a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

Society encourages individuals towards a healthy self-esteem as a way for them to navigate and be successful in the many facets of life 

However, self-esteem is wishy-washy and undependable. Self-esteem is not an ongoing and steady trait that a person can put total confidence in. Therefore, negative, personal experiences can easily shatter and tear down self-esteem mentally and emotionally. “….Don't put your confidence in … people [OR SELF]… there is NO HELP for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT).

“…Human effort accomplishes nothing….” (John 6:63 NLT). “…the flesh profiteth nothing…” (John 6:63 KJV). "…That which is born of the flesh is flesh…” (John 3:6 KJV).

Self-esteem can have you on a mountaintop one day and in the valley the next. Therefore, healthy self-esteem can be short-lived, become depleted, prove to be unreliable, and sometimey. “….Don't put your confidence in … people [OR self-esteem]… there is NO HELP for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT).

The undependability of self-esteem also destroys a person’s trust in the evaluation of themselves. “….Don't put your confidence in … people [OR self-esteem]… there is NO HELP for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT).

Self-esteem can turn into a monster that destroys one’s belief about self-worth in several other areas of an individual’s life. “….Don't put your confidence in … people [OR self-esteem]… there is NO HELP for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT).

Negative, personal experiences of all variations are usually the culprit for destroying one’s self-esteem. “...You judge by human standards...” (John 8:15 NIV). “...we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ...” (Philippians 3:3-7 NIV). “...we regard no one from a worldly point of view...” (2 Corinthians 5:16 NIV).

“…all things are become new...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

Self-esteem, before becoming a NEW CREATION, is developed from the experiences a person has as they grow into an adult. “….old things are passed away...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

When people are growing into adults they are being shaped, molded, or influenced by others, in their intimate environments, to determine self-esteem.

Self-esteem informs the mind and comes from the heart. Out of the information stored in the heart about one’s self, over the years, comes evil thoughts about an individual’s worth. “...For from within, out of the heart of man (woman), proceed evil thoughts… wickedness...  All these evil things come from within, and defile a person…” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).  

The information, stored in the heart, is processed and transformed into a mental or visual opinion about self-worth. This opinion is one’s “perception of self.” The “perception of self”, can come forth as “no” esteem, “low” esteem, “average” esteem, or “high” esteem. “... In him [God’s people]... have [their]... being (new identity, perception of their new created-in-Christ self) ...” (Acts 17:28 KJV).

Psychology have a theory, developed by cognitive psychologists in the 50s, called “information processing” and claims the mind resembles and functions similar to a computer.

For instance, information goes into the computer, the internal software processes it, and an output results; just like information goes into the heart, the mental software system processes it, and an output (opinion) also results.

The information, stored within your heart, goes into your mental software system - while interacting with people or your environment – and one of the outputs is the perception of self.

If you were criticized as a child and told, “You are bad” (that’s information that was put into the heart) then, as a result (output), you developed an opinion of yourself that you were bad . The information “you are bad” was PUT into your heart and “out of the heart” proceeds the critical thought “YOU ARE BAD) that was stored there during personal growth and development.

The storing of the critical thought “YOU ARE BAD” is how your heart retains information PUT there over the course of personal development.  

However, once the information proceeds out of the heart it can become “evil or negative thoughts that impact a person opinion of themselves. The “evil or negative thoughts” may cause a person to evaluate thei WHOLE self as ‘bad” and not just a particular behavior.  The bible informs God’s people that “….as he (she) thinketh in his (her) heart, so is he (she)…..” (Proverbs 23:7 KJV).

The “perception of self,” stored in the heart, affects the THOUGHTS when interacting with LIFE, PEOPLE, and FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENTS. These interactions will either weaken or become fixed “thoughts” about one’s SELF.

These repeated interactions, if negative and critical, contribute to the information stored in the heart and will embolden “evil or negative thoughts” that help establish a fixed perception of one’s self.

These emboldened “evil or negative thoughts,” that come out of the heart, help establish a fixed perception of one’s self, which are - criticism, lack of affirmation, no emotional support, no adequate attention or affection, no grace for mistakes, being ignored, various abuses, lack of respect or honor, rejection, and a host of other things that destroy self-esteem – and these regularly contribute to the storing of negative information.

Regularly hearing that “you are bad” eventually becomes a fixed “perception of self,” within the heart, where the “evil or negative thoughts” of one’s WORTH proceeds from.

The stored information, within the heart, that “you are bad” proceeds out into the thoughts to effect one’s behavior too.

The “you are bad” message, stored within the heart, becomes a perception of self and over time, if the information, within the heart, doesn’t change it will develop into a fixed perception of self.

LIFE, PEOPLE, childhood caregivers, or one’s environments ARE major influencers in the development of a “fixed” perception of self that becomes self-esteem (high, low, or none).

The fixed “perception of self,” from the information stored within the heart, and if NOT changed, follows a person from childhood into adulthood.

This is a very basic explanation of how “perception of self” or self-esteem develops.

The bottom line is that “perception of self” or self-esteem is impacted in one way or another by information stored within one’s heart.

A negative “perception of self” or self-esteem is usually revealed through dysfunctional encounters in one’s interactions or personal relationships with others; particularly when it comes to giving and receiving love.

 For instance, if the message “you are bad” is fixed, you may not be able to receive or give love in a healthy manner, especially if YOU don’t think or believe YOU ARE WORTHY of love.

This is the identity problem many of God’s people BRING into the “covenant unity” relationship with God, the Holy Spirit.”  

God’s people are NEW CREATIONS, but if they don’t allow God’s WORD to RENEW negative messages, stored in the heart, like “you are bad” it will impact the “covenant unity” relationship with God.

 The old information, stored in the heart, says “YOU ARE BAD” and therefore “YOU ARE NOT WORTHY OF LOVE. The new information, stored in the heart, says “YOU ARE A NEW CREATION” and “GOD LOVES YOU, UNCONDITIONALLY.”

 When God’s people RENEW the information stored with their hearts, that information proceedss into their thoughts and transforms their “perception of self in the new created-in-Christ perception.”  It also strengthens the “covenant unity” relationship with one’s soul and God’s Holy Spirit.

 Negative perceptions of the old self come from OLD information, stored in the heart, but God has given you NEW INFORMATION by planting, through his WORD, JESUS, into your heart. Jesus had another name. “… His name is called The Word of God (the “good” seed)…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB).

“…The sower (God, the Holy Spirit) SOWETH THE WORD …The seed (Jesus) is the WORD OF GOD ... THE WORD …was sown in THEIR HEARTS (the hearts of God’s people)…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).

 “ …[God’s people]... have this treasure  (this seed filled with NEW information about them) “in” earthen vessels…” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV). 

God purposely planted NEW INFORMATION into the hearts of his people, so “spiritual thoughts” would proceed out and transform their perception of self into the new created-in-Christ perception.  “…The seed that fell on good soil ...  [will]... produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted... ” (Matthew 13: 18-23 NLT). “…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [the] lives [of his people]: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…” (Galatians 5:22 NLT).“… Jesus Christ (new information) is in [God’s people]…” (2 Corinthians KJV).

NEW CREATIONS can say: “…by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). “… [New creations]… are HIS (God’s) workmanship (through the powerful, working indwelling Holy Spirit), created in Christ Jesus (God’s Word and new information planted within the hearts of his people) …” (Ephesians 2:10 KJV).

“...The seed (Jesus) is the WORD OF GOD ... THE WORD (new information) …was sown in THEIR HEARTS …” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).

“…The sinful nature (affected the old information in the heart and it) wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the [Holy] Spirit wants. And the [Holy] Spirit (affects the new information in the heart and it) gives [God’s people]... desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These TWO FORCES (old information & new information) are constantly fighting each other, so [God’s people] are not FREE  to carry out [their] good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

The old information, stored in the heart, must become totally RENEWED. “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (renewing the old information, stored in the heart, will empower “spiritual thoughts” to proceed forth that transforms one’s perception of self a new created-in-Christ perception as a NEW CREATION)….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “...[God’s people] are clean through the word  (new information) which I (God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus) have spoken unto [them]...” (John 15:1-10 KJV). “... [God’s people can stay] .... holy and clean, washed by the cleansing [power]...of God’s Word  (new information)...” (Ephesians 5:26 KJV).

“… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind [by storing new information within the heart)...” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

“…The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in [God’s people]. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give [spiritual] life to [their] mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within [them[. …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“…Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do (through old information) what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by [that old “lifeless’ information], you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit (Jesus, the WORD, God’s new information, the powerful, indwelling Holy Spirit) you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God (the WORD, new information) are children of God…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“…Who will free [god’s people]... from this life that is dominated by (the old information tainted by) SIN? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

“… The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord (the LIVING Word, new information)…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). Jesus had another name. “… His name is called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “…THE WORDS ... they ARE SPIRIT,…” (John 6:63 KJV).

“...[God’s people]... are clean through the word which [God, the Holy Spirit]... have spoken unto [them through Jesus]...” (John 15:1-10 KJV). “...[God’s people can stay] .... holy and clean, washed by the cleansing [power]...of God’s Word (new information ...” (Ephesians 5:26 KJV).

“… Jesus (the WORD of GOD, new information) …came and SPAKE, unto them saying, “All POWER is given unto me (the word) IN heaven and earth…” (Matthew 28:18 KJV). “…Let the WORD (this new information) of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Colossians 3:16 KJV).  “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (through the WORD and new information)….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

“… The Spirit of truth (Jesus, God’s Word and new information) …will guide [God’s people]... into all the truth. …” (John 16:13 NIV). “…Thy word (new information) is truth” (JOHN 17:17 KJV).

“...Jesus saith…I am THE... TRUTH…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…The TRUTH (God’s new information) shall MAKE YOU FREE…” (JOHN 8:32 KJV).

 “…If the Son (jesus, the truth) therefore shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed (without a doubt!!)…” (John 8:36 KJV).

The only way for God’s people to enjoy all the benefits, blessings, and favors of the “covenant unity” relationship with God is for them to KNOW they are a “…new creature in Christ Jesus...”(1 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

The old information, stored in the heart, was received from the world, but the new information, stored (planted) in the heart, was received from God, the Holy Spirit. “... Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers...” (1 Peter 1:18 KJV).

God, the Holy Spirit, has completely changed the identity of each of his people. The old information, stored in the heart, has NO IMPACT upon who God’s people are, RIGHT NOW, in Jesus Christ. “...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). “…I WILL GIVE you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. …” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure...” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). 

God’s people can boldly say: “I AM A NEW CREATION!” “…By the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). “… [Therefore, God’s people]… are changed into the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV).

God’s people were SPIRITUALLY DEAD before reconciling with God, the Holy Spirit. “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV). “...[God’s people]... were reconciled to God by the death of his Son...” (Romans 5:10 KJV).

Jesus Christ RECONCILES lost and spiritually dead souls to God, the Holy Spirit. “… [He sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

Jesus Christ made mankind WHOLE again. “…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). NLT). “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in [God’s people]…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  “…God ...makes everything holy and whole [by putting or mixing]... together [God’s Holy]...spirit, [your]...soul, and body …” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG). “…Jesus Christ (the one who reconciles) is in [God’s people]…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).

“...[God’s people] have the Spirit of God living in [them]…” (Romans 8:6-9 NLT). “...and man (woman) [have become].... a living soul (again)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

“... In him [God’s people] live and move, and have [their]... being...For [they] are ... his offspring...” (Acts 17:28 KJV). “…If any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a NEW CREATURE …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… [New creations]… are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works …” (Ephesians 2:10 KJV). “…it is God (the Holy Spirit) which worketh in [new creations]…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).

Every single person, upon earth, is lost and spiritually dead until Jesus reconciles them to God, the Holy Spirit. “…the wages of sin is [spiritual]...death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…For all have sinned (all have been born with a sinful nature)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). “…all have ... come short of the glory of God (all are born 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).

Without God’s indwelling Holy Spirit a person is a lost and spiritually dead soul.  Anyone separated from God is “…dead in trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV).

Sinners are“…separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). Before sinners are SAVED “…[THEY are] ... DEAD in [their]... transgressions and sins (within the sinful nature)…” (Ephesians 2:1 NIV).

“…[God’s people]... were dead in [their] sins [too]  and ... [NOW]…God made [them]... ALIVE with Christ. He forgave [them]… all [their]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). God “….made [the lost and spiritual dead soul]… ALIVE with Christ …when [they]… were DEAD in transgressions…” (Ephesians 2:5 NIV).

Like the prodigal son, “… [God’s people were spiritually]…. DEAD and [have been made]… ALIVE AGAIN; [they were]… lost and [have been]… found…” (Luke 15:24 NIV).

Anyone made “ALIVE AGAIN” was once DEAD. The soul was a spiritually DEAD soul. “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

“….[All of God’s people]... USED TO LIVE in sin [too], just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of [them] used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of [their] sinful nature. ….just like everyone else…” (Ephesian 2:2-3 NLT).

Lost and spiritually DEAD souls follow after the sinful nature. “…The sin of my SOUL…” (Micah 6:7 KJV).

The lost and spiritually DEAD soul is heavily affected by carnality. “….When you follow the desires (influences) of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life WILL NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. …” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).

God, through Jesus, restores the LOST and spiritual DEAD soul and FREES them from the bondage of SIN, “…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV). “…The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the SOUL…” (Psalm 19 NASB).

“IN” Christ the lost and spiritually DEAD soul is restored and made “SPIRITUALLY ALIVE AGAIN.” (Luke 15:24 NIV).