Born Again—NOW Who Am I?
Humanity has been seeking identity and purpose through relationship, career, education and religion since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Why? The fall of man left us with a hijacked identity and a desperate need of being “born again.” We were originally created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26) and the “born again” experience restores our true identity and purpose of a life lived in Christ.
All humanity born after Adam was born with a false or hijacked identity. We became self- absorbed, self-centered and selfish. Life has tutored us in the identity, mentality and wisdom of this false identity. We exist in a life filled with damaged emotions and unhealed memories…being led by our senses and being self-seekers. No wonder scripture says we must be “born again.” We were born out of Adam and now we must be “born again” into Christ. So, after we are born again how do we shake off that false identity? Who are we?
First, we must realize that it was never meant for us to live a self-absorbed self-seeking life which allows circumstances and issues to define who we are. This was never our true identity or purpose from the beginning.
Second, we must begin seeing ourself in Him and through Him instead of where we’ve been and what we’ve done. We cannot change where we’ve been and what we’ve done but we can change who we are. We change who we are by “putting on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24)
Finally, we understand that we must die out to the old nature (false identity) and put on the new nature of Christ (image of God). Knowing who we are NOT, helps us to know who we are. Being “born again” brings us back to who and what we really are. NOW who am I? I am the image of God! I am righteous! I am victorious! I am an overcomer! I am Spirit-led and Spirit-filled! I am “born again!”
Vickie Hodges is a licensed UPCI minister with 35 years experience in Brain Development Research and Early Childhood Education. Vickie is the author of LIFE (Living In Freedom EVERYDAY) Recovery Series, Recovery for Damaged Emotions and Unhealed Memories. Vickie is a trainer as well as a seminar/conference speaker and can be reached at VickieHodgesSharingLIFE@gmail.com or 281-489-0055.