"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"
- Romans 8:31
Probably one of the most difficult things most Christians struggle with is getting past the constant reminder of their weaknesses, shortcomings, inadequacies, and vulnerabilities. Far too often, it is these sorts of things that try to define who we are, and because of that we find ourselves in a constant battle to somehow connect to a life of significance.
It is not necessarily sin itself that oftentimes confines us, but rather a consciousness of our own human frailty that restricts our abilities to live the life that God intends for us to live. We battle over significance because of a spirit of depravity that wants to remind us of all the areas where we struggle within our flesh. This is why it is of utmost importance that we really come to know the real depth to our redemption and begin to identify with who we are in Christ.
Paul tells us, "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty" (2 Cor. 3:17). There is so much to be discovered in this word "liberty." In fact, Paul went on in the very next verse to say: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor. 3:18). Here is a great truth to know. The very idea of us being changed from glory to glory actually stems from this liberty. Until we understand and take hold of the true freedom found in Christ, the consciousness of all our human frailty will continue to stymie our spiritual development, limiting our ability to regain our dignity.
If we were raised up with him then the same glory that raised him up has raised us up.
We have been raised up with dignity
in order to live a life of dignity.
The Greek word for glory is DOXA, and one of its definitions is to possess dignity and worth. Everything we know about the purpose of Christ's coming was to restore what was lost in the fall. Man was clothed with glory and honor. Sin caused man to fall short of the glory. Jesus came and took upon himself flesh so that by the grace of God he could taste death for every man, and by so doing he became our substitute. He died our death by paying the ultimate sacrifice. On the cross, he was stripped of all his significance. He became despised and rejected, a man of sorrows acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). He literally took our depravity and nailed it to the cross. The whole idea of us becoming a new creature means that we are no longer depraved. We have a new nature, the nature of God. And we are called "sons of glory" (Heb. 2:10). In fact, when Jesus was raised from the dead, Romans chapter six says, "...he was raised up by the glory of the Father" (Rom. 6:4). If we were raised up with him then the same glory that raised him up has raised us up. We have been raised up with dignity in order to live a life of dignity. But the constant reminder of our human frailty has kept us shortsighted. This is why we must embrace the greater reality of who we are in Christ as opposed to who we are in our flesh.
There are four great steps to overcoming a spirit of depravity where you are able to recapture a life of significance. If you will determine in your heart to follow through on these four simple steps it will prove invaluable to you regaining your dignity.
Number one is, you must believe what God's word says above what people say. In other words, never let what people say define who you are, let what God says define you.
Number two is, you must believe what God's word says above what circumstances say. Sometimes what tries to keep us bound from living a life of significance are the things we deal with day in and day out; especially, when it comes to areas where we are struggling to see any significant changes. That is why it is so important to "look not at the things which are seen..." (2 Cor. 4:18). You have to look beyond the conditions that surround you.
Number three is, you must believe what God's word says above what your feelings say. Depression, anxiety, loneliness, and rejection are very real enemies that seek to rob you of your dignity. You cannot let your feelings determine who you are.
And lastly, number four: you must believe what God's word says above what your history says. This is probably the biggest deterrent to a life of significance. As long as you live in the past or allow your past to influence how you think of yourself now, it will always get the best of you. You must move on and expect a different outcome for your life. This is where you have to know, "he is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power (virtue and dignity) that worketh in us" (Eph. 3:20).*
