What Does God Say About Your Identity and Worth?

This one might be one of those more subtle texts that at first glance appear to be poetic and feel good text, however as you look deeper into the meaning and historical significance your jaw slowly gapes more and more wide!

In old testament times, levitical law had outlined aromatic sacrificial offerings as pleasing to the Lord. They resembled a wholehearted devotion. Sacrifice to show their admiration and desire to please God.

Similarly, when Paul spoke of us now being this pleasing aroma of the knowledge of God, he was inviting us to see ourselves as the unmistakable scent of God, scent is something that changes the atmosphere around, it is something that can not be hidden. It is attractive, inviting and calls things to mind. When we acknowledge that our identity includes being the scent, the fragrance of the knowledge of God, we go from holding our faith tightly to our chest, to an overflow of spreading it outside. Our role is to live lives full of Christ, to be obedient to Him, constantly being filled as we stay in close proximity to Christ. Who and where the scent will drift to is the work of the Spirit, we can trust in His ability and wisdom in diffusion.

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get caught up in the latest trend? One minute you're fully embracing a new lifestyle, convinced you've found your place, and the next you're searching for something else to fill the gap. From fitness culture and healthy eating to career ambition and personal development, we are constantly surrounded by messages telling us who we should be, and while many of these things are good in themselves, they were never meant to define us.
When we build our identity around them, we can find ourselves feeling uncertain, exhausted, and disconnected from who we really are.

Who does God say I am?

You are His workmanship… Ephesians 2:10

The bible is beaming with verses on who God says that you are. He just can’t help but tell us again and again how special (1 Peter 2:9; Deut 7:6), loved (Romans 8:38-39) and deeply known we are by Him (Psalm 139). These aren’t just nice words or pretty verses to make us feel good. These are core truths. Truths that will change our lives from the inside out, if we let them sink in. I won’t try to list every single thing here, but I want to share a few of the beautiful things God says about you, so you can really take them to heart.

You are a child of God (1 John 3:12; 2 Corinthians 3:18)

Wow. Sometimes I think we hear this so often that we forget how wild it really is. God calls you His child. Do you know what it means to be His child? To be a child of God is not just a sweet phrase or a catchy slogan; it means you belong. You belong to His family, it's a legal that carries authority. It is a transformative type of inclusion. A whole new life, a spiritual rebirth, and an invitation into the closest relationship with Him. God wants you to know you are wanted, chosen, and loved as His own.

You are more than a conqueror (romans 8:37)

Your identity is of someone, more than victorious, more than a winner, it is derived from the latin word to win and procure by effort. Someone who is more than a conqueror isn't fighting from a place of trying, you have already been given the victory! The effort has been done for you, you have defeated the enemy, by Christ who went to war with the enemy, decended to the deepest darkest pits and came back up, acended in His grand victory for you and me! and need to take your land, the land that has been given to you, your God given inheritance.

Speaking of inheritance, you are a co-heir with Christ, seated with Him in heavenly places! (ephesians 2:6)

God our father does not just make us his ‘token’ kids, doing a good deed, He makes us equals to Jesus, the one and only son of God! And in case that wasnt enough for us to truly get how much He values us and looks at us, He sits us right by Jesus’s side, He adopts us as His own. Unfortunately unlike today, in the ancient world, when a child was adopted it was as though that child was utterly totally completely the same as if biological. The child was integrated and given the same rights as the natural child. This is the message God wants us to get from this, that we are totally, undeniably His own! And with that comes the inheritance of a royal heir to the throne being children of the Lord God Most high.

You are an ambassador of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20)

I dont know about anyone else by politics elude me. I looked up what the term ambassador was ‘the highest ranking official diplomate, sent to represent’. Then I was like, great! But whats a diplomat? That meant someone who is tactful, who is sent to negotiate, to solve issues peacefully and protect their nations interests.. But then I found this: ‘to allow them to work safely without fear of intimidation, diplomats are often granted diplomatic immunity, meaning they are protected from local prosecution or arrest in the country where they are stationed.’ does that sound familiar? John 10:28 reads ‘and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand’ also see Jesus’s prayer for His disciples in John 17:15 says: ‘I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one.’

And But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2 thessolonians 3:3) when we rememebr our true identities, as ambassadors of christ, as citizens of heaven (phillipians 3:20) we remember that what we stand for, the Who that we represent is the almighty God, excellence, majesty awe may flood our minds, we have been called by the Lord of heaven and earth so show others His image!

This sounds obvious, but most of us have this struggle. The good news is that Jesus knows that we struggle, and we can even pray for Him to help our unbelief (Mark 9:24)

5 ways to shift what you know God says about you from head to heart.

The pleasing aroma of the knowledge of God (2 corinthians 2:14)

A piece of art created by the hand of God Himself. The greek word used here ‘ poiema’ translates to a type of art close to a masterpiece style. It indicates God’s careful, and thought through process when He decided on you. That being said, art isnt just about logic, it is creativity from deep within, to be creative is to love, to love deeply and feel deeply, when an artist creates a piece of art, He pours a little of himself in to the piece, little by little crafting something so unique and beautifully inspired by the art itself. When God made you, He didnt just put particles together for work, although this is an important responsibility that we do have, when He made you, He formed you in pure love, He sees you as He made you, a wonderful masterpiece.

Speak life, speak the words of who God says you are over yourself daily.

Proverbs 18:21 says that words have the power of life and death and isaiah 55:11reassures us that the words that come from God’s mouth have the utmost authority. They do not come back empty.
What God says, is true.

Journal, Mind Map, List Out

We can get so caught up on only prioritising our personal relationship with God in prayer that we forget the importance of letting the word speak to us too! God gave us the bible, a direct revelation of who He is for a reason, its not a dated piece of text, the bible is his living word today!

Spend time getting to know who God is through scripture.

Find a community!

Identify the actions or beliefs that are hindering you from embracing the identity God has assigned to you. This could include your viewing habits, how you allocate your time, your concerns, or even your priorities. Cross out these items and next to them, write what your experience would be like if you fully accepted what God says about you. Here’s an example I created for those who prefer a visual approach like I do.

And finally, believe God at His word!

God never intended us to do life alone. Having a likeminded group of friends to share life with, to sharpen one another as well as encourage and uplift is what a healthy church should hold space for. If you are really remote, im sure there are a few online communities out there, but honestly, nothing beats meeting with people face to face and really doing life together.

Lets Pray...

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for the beautiful image-bearer reading this article and for the desire You have placed in their heart to know You more deeply.

I pray that Your light would shine brightly in their life, so lighting up every corner of their heart and mind. When they look at themselves, I ask that they see themselves the way that you see them, without confusion, shame, fear, or doubt. Help them to fully embrace the truth of who You say they are, how loved, chosen, forgiven, redeemed they are and how they are made totally whole through You.

Thank You that, by Your grace, we do not have to search for our identity in the things of this world. Through Your Word, You reveal who we truly are and whose we are! As we draw near to You, continue to anchor us in that truth.

Holy Spirit, remind us each day of the intimate relationship that we are invited into by our Heavenly Father. Help us to walk confidently as sons and daughters of God, welcomed into His Holy family through the blood of Jesus! May we rest so securely in Your love, and live from the place of belonging that You have freely given us.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Questions to Reflect On

What am I currently struggling with that might lose its power if I fully embraced who God says I am?

When I describe myself to others, what aspects of my identity do I emphasise most?
Do they align with how God sees me?

If everything I associate with my identity: my work, ministry, calling, talents, achievements, personal style, or even the things I enjoy most, were taken away... would I still feel secure in who I am?

Is my sense of worth rooted in what I do, or in whose I am?

What would it look like to live each day from a place of confidence in my identity as a beloved child of God?

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