How Does God Define You?

[deacon blues]

David: A Man After God's Own Heart
Abraham: The Friend of God
Gideon: Mighty Man of Valor
Moses: The Lawgiver
Paul: Apostle
John: The Revelator

These great heroes of the faith are known by their given labels and titles. No one questions their place in history and in the story of God's chosen vessels. David, the giant slayer, the great king of Israel and psalmist. Abraham, the father of the faithful, the patriarch of Israel, the man of great faith. Gideon, the judge and deliverer of Israel, the captain of God's army that defeated the Midianites. Moses, the prophet of God and defeater of the Egyptian Pharaoh and his empire, leader of Israel and key man of the great exodus. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, the great missionary, the church planter and writer of more books of the Bible than any man. John, the beloved disciple, the disciple of John the Baptist who later followed Christ, a son of thunder.......

Yet when one looks at these lives there were low moments. There were moments of great failure and tragedy, shame and regret. David could also be called the adulterer. Abraham could be called the doubter. Gideon could be called the idolator. Moses, the murderer. Paul, the persecutor of the church. John, the elitist. And although these men are shown in this light as well as in their greatest moments, the summary of their lives does not reflect these blemishes on their record. Why?

Because God does not define people by their lowest moments!

Wrap your mind around that! We oftentimes define ourselves by low moments. Moments of regret, moments of defeat, moments of shame, moments of failure, moments of anguish and moments of tragedy. A defining moment. A divorce. The death of a loved one. A terrible decision. A one night stand. A sinful act. Losing a business. A car accident. Bankruptcy. An embarrassing failure. A humiliating defeat. An alcoholic father. An abusive parent. A molestation. Neglect. Verbal abuse. The list goes on unending with all the things that we might define ourselves by.

But Jesus changes all of that. He does not call you by your lowest identifier. He calls you "little lamb", "child", "son", "daughter" "bride" "lover" "friend". He defines you by what He sees, not what you remember!

Don't be defined by your failures, your tragedies, your regrets, your sorrows. Let God define you as one of His! How God defines you is the only label that really matters!

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Don't be defined by your failures, your tragedies, your regrets, your sorrows. Let God define you as one of His! How God defines you is the only label that really matters!

Good stuff.



I am Fireproof.

[drummerboy_dave]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

David: A Man After God's Own Heart
Abraham: The Friend of God
Gideon: Mighty Man of Valor
Moses: The Lawgiver
Paul: Apostle
John: The Revelator

These great heroes of the faith are known by their given labels and titles. No one questions their place in history and in the story of God's chosen vessels. David, the giant slayer, the great king of Israel and psalmist. Abraham, the father of the faithful, the patriarch of Israel, the man of great faith. Gideon, the judge and deliverer of Israel, the captain of God's army that defeated the Midianites. Moses, the prophet of God and defeater of the Egyptian Pharaoh and his empire, leader of Israel and key man of the great exodus. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, the great missionary, the church planter and writer of more books of the Bible than any man. John, the beloved disciple, the disciple of John the Baptist who later followed Christ, a son of thunder.......

Yet when one looks at these lives there were low moments. There were moments of great failure and tragedy, shame and regret. David could also be called the adulterer. Abraham could be called the doubter. Gideon could be called the idolator. Moses, the murderer. Paul, the persecutor of the church. John, the elitist. And although these men are shown in this light as well as in their greatest moments, the summary of their lives does not reflect these blemishes on their record. Why?

Because God does not define people by their lowest moments!

Wrap your mind around that! We oftentimes define ourselves by low moments. Moments of regret, moments of defeat, moments of shame, moments of failure, moments of anguish and moments of tragedy. A defining moment. A divorce. The death of a loved one. A terrible decision. A one night stand. A sinful act. Losing a business. A car accident. Bankruptcy. An embarrassing failure. A humiliating defeat. An alcoholic father. An abusive parent. A molestation. Neglect. Verbal abuse. The list goes on unending with all the things that we might define ourselves by.

But Jesus changes all of that. He does not call you by your lowest identifier. He calls you "little lamb", "child", "son", "daughter" "bride" "lover" "friend". He defines you by what He sees, not what you remember!

Don't be defined by your failures, your tragedies, your regrets, your sorrows. Let God define you as one of His! How God defines you is the only label that really matters!

Amen, Deac. He calls me son, and that's good enough for me.

Good post, Deacon! As usual, you are on target!

[OneAccord]

This thread reminds me of a poem I wrote a few years ago. I was plowing a field when this began to come to me. I'm no poet... Just some more of my ramblin's....

What Would God Say Of Me?

I wonder what God would say of me.
I wonder what His answer would be.
Am I God’s friend, or, am I a foe?
What name on me would He bestow?

The answer I seek is found in the pages,
Of God’s Word so true throughout the ages.
Will I ever be what He wants me to be?
I’d like to know: What would God say of me?

So I opened the Bible and began to read,
I asked Him to guide me, His Spirit to lead.
I began with Adam, who ate of the tree,
He was called a son of God, Would God say this of me?

I looked a little further and read of Abraham,
Offering His only son like a lowly lamb,
God said of His servant, “He is my friend”,
Would God say this of me when I meet my end?

I then read of a man, whose heart was full of song,
Yet he was caught in a terrible wrong,
King David was a “man after God’s own heart”,
Will God say this of me, or will He say depart?

When the tempter comes, will God be my defense?
Would He say, “He is perfect, now get thee hence”.
This is said of Job who lived so righteously,
I wonder if God would say this of me?

I look over my shoulder, and I see my past,
What’s done for Christ, is all that will last.
All my sins and mistakes, and oh, how I have failed
Is there any hope for me on down the trail?

Then I look ahead…Is that a Crimson Flood?
It can only be the Saviors precious Blood.
Washing and cleansing my soul white as snow
Jesus paid the price, His love is all I need to know.

So, I ask you Father, “What would you say of me?”
Not worthy to be Your son, a servant I will be.
And when the day comes, for me to stop livin’,
I pray He will say of me “You are forgiven”.

[Brother Price]

He calls me friend. He calls me son. He calls me servant. I just love to hear Him call my name.