15 Jul Why Should I? (Learning to See Yourself as God Sees You!) Gal. 3:11 Part 10

The Bible tells us, “As a man thinks in his heart so is he” (Prov. 23:7).  How we see ourselves is of the utmost importance!  You don’t see things how they are…you see things how you are!
You see, you behave according to self image.  You take risk according to self image.  You marry according to self image (that’s why I know I have a good self image…by looking at Anne!).  You succeed or fail according to self image.  If you succeed beyond self image you’ll begin to sabotage yourself until you retreat to what you think you deserve!  As you can tell, how you see yourself is vital!
Now obviously, we are not telling about some “self help” mumbo jumbo, but seeing yourself as God sees you…in Christ!  Over the last several weeks we have discussed “Four Standards to See from God’s Sight”:

• Standard #1…See it!

• Standard #2…Say it!

• Standard #3…Show it!

• Standard #4…Share it!

We also began to discuss a section entitled, “Why Should I?” designed to help you biblically see who you are and what you have from the pages of the Word of God:
1. Why should I say “I can’t” when the Bible says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13)?!
2. Why should I fear when God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind (II Tim. 1:7)?!
3. Why should I be weak when the Lord is the strength of my life (Ps. 27:1, Eph 6:10)?!
4. Why should I lack when God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19)?!

This week let’s continue our series…
5. Why should I be in bondage when the truth has made me free (John 8:31-32)?!
Here the Bible tells us, “If you continue in my Word then are you my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”  “That’s right, Pastor Jim, the Bible says the truth shall make you free.”  The only problem is, the Bible doesn’t say that.  The Bible doesn’t say the truth shall make you free.  It is the truth you know that makes you free.  It’s not the truth I know that makes you free.  It’s not the truth your parents know that makes you free.  It’s the truth you know that makes you free!
I frequently tell people that if you are not free in a certain area…trade your candle light in for a flood light.  Continue in God’s Word and you will know more truth.  More truth brings more freedom!

Next week, we’ll continue our series!