The Truth About You

 

Have you ever worried about people finding out the truth about you?

Maybe there’s a part of you that you worry about revealing to others – a sin that you continue to struggle with, an experience or mistake from the past, an aspect of your personality that you tend to keep hidden for fear of being judged or misunderstood.

I have certainly been there.  It can be easier sometimes to present an image of who we would like to be or who we feel others want us to be, instead of living authentically as who we really are.

But while we may fear the truth, Jesus said that the truth would set us free (John 8:32) and the good news is that while it is true that we all have faults and we have all made mistakes, there is a truer truth.

I may not know all the specifics of your past and your experiences, but if you are a follower of Jesus I do know the truth about you:

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  (Psalm 139:13-18)
No matter how you feel and no matter what others may have said about you, you are not an accident or a mistake.  You were intentionally and deliberately created.  You are seen and you are known.

You are loved.  (Ephesians 1:4, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:38-39)
God accepts you as you are and he delights in you.  His love is a perfect, unfailing, never-ending love.  It is not something you have to earn, but something freely given – a gift of grace.  When you feel unloved or unnoticed by others, know that you are deeply loved by him.

You are God’s child.  (Ephesians 1:5, Romans 8:15-16)
You are adopted into his family.  He chose you!  It was not something done out of duty or obligation, but out of love and joy.  You never need to fear that you don’t belong, because in him you are secure forever.

You are God’s masterpiece.  (Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 1:6)
You are worthy of his time and care and attention.  He is creating something beautiful.  You are still a work in progress, and it won’t always be easy but he is absolutely committed to the process and he will see it through to completion.

You have a purpose and a significant part to play.  (Ephesians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
God has prepared good works for you to do.  He has gifted you with unique qualities and talents so that you can serve him and others.  You are not meant to be like anyone else.  His part for you is designed just for you and even though it may seem insignificant at times, your impact can be greater than you know.

You are forgiven.  (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:13-14, 1 John 1:9)
Jesus paid the price of your sin when he died on the cross.  There is no sin too big for him to deal with.  His light is greater than any darkness, and when we confess our sins, he freely forgives.

You are holy and without fault in God’s eyes.  (Colossians 1:22, Ephesians 1:4)
Not only are you forgiven, but when Jesus took your sin, he gave you his righteousness.  You can stand before God pure and holy because of Jesus.

You are not alone.  (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5-6)
Whatever you face, he is with you.  You will never be abandoned or forsaken.  Sometimes you may feel alone, but he is still with you.  He is there to carry you through.

You have hope, even in the midst of trials and difficulties.  (James 1:2-4, Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 4:17)
We can’t deny the truth that life is tough at times.  Jesus was honest about that: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows,” (John 16:33 NLT) but in the very same verse he encourages us: “Take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Even in the midst of suffering there is hope: that God is there, that he is still sovereign, that he can work for good even in painful situations, and that ultimately he has overcome.  He has defeated sin and death and evil and one day we will see the fullness of that victory.

You have a wonderful future.  (1 Peter 1:6, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Revelation 21:3-4)
When you’re struggling in the middle of the story, don’t forget that we know how it ends.  Eternity with God free from pain and suffering and death is the destiny of those who are in Christ.  Whatever trials you face now, no matter how difficult and enduring, will pale into insignificance compared with the glory that awaits you.

Maybe the truth is not so scary after all, and maybe if we could hold to it and trust in it, and let it sink deep into our hearts, it really would lead us to freedom!

Here are a couple of songs that help remind me of the truth:

What about you?  How does the truth of who you are in Christ encourage you?  What helps you to hold to the truth?

.Inspire Me Monday