I am Because HE IS...

"...put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life

and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to

put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

~Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV

Suggested readings: Genesis 2-3, Ephesians 4-5, Galatians 5:22-23.

In Genesis 3 we see Eve's identity and security being attacked by the Enemy. "Did God really say...You will not surely die...you will be like God..." He makes her question if God really has Eve's best interest in mind and ironically tells her she'll be like God, the very Creator who already made her in His image.

Identity and insecurity. Attacking these two areas are Satan's oldest tricks in the book. Satan knows if he can make us question who we are in Christ and believe He is holding something back from us, then the enemy can keep us from our identity in Christ and ultimately a secure, close relationship with Him. Insecurity is rooted in identity.

If we want to keep ourselves secure, then we need to keep our identities intact, and the only way to do that is to stay close to the One who made us in His image, in His likeness. The way we can begin doing this is by obeying what Ephesians 4: 22-24 says to do:

1. put off old self full of deceitful desires--in other words anything

that doesn't look like God in righteousness and holiness,

2. renew in the spirit of mind--spending time with God in His Word

and in worship,

3. put on the new self which is created after the likeness of God--put on

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness,

and self-control.

By resisting the deceitful desires to be like the world, by renewing in the spirit of the mind, and by putting on the likeness/qualities of God, you will find not only just the security you need for each day but also the security of who you are. The more you become to know Christ, the more you become to know who you are. You were made to be like God, the great I AM. You are because He is.