Introduction
We are fools for Christ's sake,but
you are wise in Christ!...The Apostle
Paul
Our identity is often described by what
we do, when we were born, where we live
or even by a number. If asked, "Who
are you?", one might say, "a carpenter",
describing their job. Someone else might
tell us their name and address, where they
live, but such information does not identify
who they really are. Being male or female
is taken for granted, but in today's society,
even genders can be confusing at first glance.
We identify most with the things we can
see and react to. We are shallow when it
comes to the internals of life, those things
that come from our heart, our inner man.
Who we are in our hearts determines who
we will be on the outside. Our words and
actions are responses of the internal processes
of the heart. There is definitely a need
to know who we are in order for our lives
to be complete and in order. We need to
know who we really are inside because of
God's promises and the stability that can
bring.
The heart is difficult to understand, because
of our limited ability. We cannot truly
know the heart of one another, only God
knows. The closest we come to knowing a
person's heart is by experiencing their
words and actions. If a person is showing
hatred and all manner of evil, we know they
must have a similar heart. On the other
hand, if you are experiencing love from
a person, they must have
love in their heart.
When we think of the heart, let us consider
the watermelon. The heart of the watermelon
is the center part, usually the best part
with fewer seeds. The seeds determine the
kind, color and even taste of the melon.
Watermelon seeds produce water melons and
so it is with all seeds, producing life
after their own kind. This process of life
is a law of God and a promise forever from
our Creator.
We get closer to understanding who we really
are when we consider the seed. For instance,
we are sons and daughters of our mothers
and fathers. The seed actually comes from
the father. It is the sperm of the father
that generates the blood. This is the physiological
process of life, but has deep spiritual
truths when it comes to us being created
in God's image. The life of God is in our
blood.
God created us as a living soul, made up
of mind, will and emotions, the spirit giving
us life. We are a spiritual person, who
thinks, chooses and experiences feelings
on a daily basis. These and other factors
make up our individual personalities and
determine our actions, which make an image
through our physical bodies. It is our face
that reflects the countenance of our heart.
In this book, we will consider many deep
truths: How we were created in the image
of God, but lost that image in a downward
spiral of sin and death. How Christ came
into the world through an incorruptible
seed, so He could be the perfect sacrifice
for the sins of all mankind. How we were
born with a corruptible nature or seed of
sin, but how we can be born-again of God's
incorruptible seed by the Holy Spirit. How
we become conquerors in our Christian walk,
overcoming the tribulations and pains of
life.
Doesn't this sound foolish? In my previous
book, we saw how the world considers Christianity
and those who believe in it foolish. This
book describes the identity of those fools.
The philosophers of this world declare in
a logical way who we are through intellect,
culture and experience, but this book will
give you a glance at who you really are.
I pray that the eyes of your understanding
may be enlightened to who you are because
of God's grace. That He will give you the
desire to know more of His love, so you
can know who He has made you to be.
A wonderful journey is set before you.
I believe through the reading of this book,
you will come to see yourself as someone
more than just a name or profession, but
a wonderful possession of our Heavenly Father.
I believe you will see yourself with a new
inheritance and completeness. I see your
life changing, as a result, into a blessing
for everyone who experiences who you really
are -- a child of God.
|