Post by Cindy on Feb 10, 2016 10:16:23 GMT -5
1 Peter 2:1–12 (posted below)
Identity and worship—the two stones in the foundation of good relationships. Your identity is how you define yourself—your talents, qualities, experiences, achievements, goals, beliefs, relationships, and dreams. When we talk about worship, what we are getting at is that, because you are a human being, there is always something you are living for; always some desire, goal, treasure, purpose, value, or craving that controls your heart. The Bible reminds us that God wants—and deserves—to be the defining center of both these things.
When I live out of a biblical sense of who I am (identity) and rest in who God is (worship), I will be able to build healthy relationships. These are not abstract theological concepts. We’re talking about the content and character of our hearts. These foundational issues of identity and worship are an inescapable part of your nature as a human being. What you believe and do about these two things will shape the way you live with the people God has placed in your life. For this reason we can say that we all live theologically; that is, the things we believe about God and ourselves are the foundation for all the decisions we make, all the actions we take, and all the words we speak. The theology you live out is much more important to your daily life than the theology you claim to believe. TIMOTHY S. LANE AND PAUL DAVID TRIPP
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,” and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:1–12)
Heart of the matter: Daily reflections for changing hearts and lives.
See also:
A Biblical View of Self-Esteem
The Biblical View of Self-Image
How should a Christian view self-esteem?
Identity and worship—the two stones in the foundation of good relationships. Your identity is how you define yourself—your talents, qualities, experiences, achievements, goals, beliefs, relationships, and dreams. When we talk about worship, what we are getting at is that, because you are a human being, there is always something you are living for; always some desire, goal, treasure, purpose, value, or craving that controls your heart. The Bible reminds us that God wants—and deserves—to be the defining center of both these things.
When I live out of a biblical sense of who I am (identity) and rest in who God is (worship), I will be able to build healthy relationships. These are not abstract theological concepts. We’re talking about the content and character of our hearts. These foundational issues of identity and worship are an inescapable part of your nature as a human being. What you believe and do about these two things will shape the way you live with the people God has placed in your life. For this reason we can say that we all live theologically; that is, the things we believe about God and ourselves are the foundation for all the decisions we make, all the actions we take, and all the words we speak. The theology you live out is much more important to your daily life than the theology you claim to believe. TIMOTHY S. LANE AND PAUL DAVID TRIPP
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,” and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:1–12)
Heart of the matter: Daily reflections for changing hearts and lives.
See also:
A Biblical View of Self-Esteem
The Biblical View of Self-Image
How should a Christian view self-esteem?
!!
