You Are a Child of the King: Embracing Your Royal Identity. That is a fantastic statement of self-worth. It is a statement most of us can’t internalize. We can’t see ourselves as royalty; we see the failures, shortcomings and defects, not the purple robe of royalty. We know, intellectually, that we are descendants of royalty. But that knowledge doesn’t filter down to our consciousness.
Genesis 1:26–27: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness’… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
We are made in the image of the creator of the universe (Imago Dei). Think of this: You are created in the image of the most omniscient, omnipresent, immutable, Most High, All-loving, Transcendent being in all the universe.
Romans 8:29, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
Past Performance
Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
We judge ourselves using two flawed measurements. First, we judge ourselves based on past performance. Past performance is just that—past performance. It is not an indicator of future worth. Our worth is not determined by what we’ve done—good or bad—but by what God has done for us through Christ. God has wiped the slate clean from past performances. Past performance is only good when you give your testimony of redemption. Past performance is only about how far God will go to redeem you. That’s it, nothing more.
1 Timothy 1:16, “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him.”
Worldly Performance
The second measurement is worldly performance. This measurement is significantly flawed because it adopts a short-term perspective and is based on an ever-changing foundation. We are unique, shaped by different passions, skills, experiences, and motivations. Our cultural backgrounds shape us in many ways; where we grow up, the values and morals our families instill in us, our economic environments, and the influences of the world around us all contribute to who we are. Therefore, it is impossible to accurately evaluate a person’s worth according to contemporary world standards, as these criteria are too volatile and fleeting.
So, where do I look first when I look at myself and want an honest and fair evaluation? Go to the scriptures. Look at yourself through God’s eyes. It is the only accurate measure of worth. What does God think of you? You are His offspring, His child, and His love.
The more a person loves, the closer he approaches the image of God. – Martin Luther, “What Luther Says”
Living with the Image of a King
Colossians 3:10 – “…put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.”
What does it mean to bear God’s image? God has endowed us with these characteristics:
- Moral Likeness – Our conscience guides us with an innate sense of right and wrong.
- Relational Capacity – God designed us for relationships, reflecting the relational nature of the Trinity.
- Creative Ability – Just as God creates, we express creativity through art, invention, and innovation.
- Authority and Stewardship – God calls us to govern and care for creation as His representatives.
- Value for Human Life – Every person holds inherent worth, regardless of race, status, or ability.
- Justice and Compassion – God calls us to protect the vulnerable and care for the marginalized.
- Unity and Reconciliation – Because we all bear God’s image, this truth should inspire us to pursue peace and reconciliation.
1 John 3:2, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”
Live like you reside in the Palace of the King.
- Your past failures? Redeemed.
- Your past successes? A gift, not a measure of your worth.
- Your future? Defined by God’s grace, not your track record.
I do; I want to be an avenging angel, raining down brimstone and fire on all that is evil in the world; I want God to empower me to wreak havoc on all that is wrong. I want to be invincible and omni-powerful; I want to walk into the private enclaves of the rich and powerful and demand retribution. How cathartic would that be? How validating and hopeful would the world seem to me? Me, reigning over the unjust and the unworthy. But who would want to rain down brimstone on me?
Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
An opinion is only a state of mind; it does not predict the future. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines opinion as “a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter.” We too often give too much credence to someone’s opinion, including our own. Many of the disagreements I hear are formed when opinions differ.
“Breaking Free: Doing That For Which You Were Created.” Have you ever felt like you might not be doing the right thing or that you’re just in the wrong place? It’s a familiar feeling, and we find ourselves in such situations for many reasons. Ideally, passion drives us—we discover what we love, pursue it, and thrive in it. But for many, that’s the exception rather than the rule.
Living the life of Ester: embracing your God-given purpose. Have you ever wondered if you’re where you’re meant to be? The story of Esther offers profound insight into how God orchestrates our lives to fulfill His purposes. In Esther 4:12-14, Mordecai’s words remind us of our divine placement: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Even when we don’t realize it, we are precisely where God wants us to be.