How To See Who We Really Are

In yesterday's section, I wrote that when we get down, we need to look up and see Christ seated at the right hand of the Father, who ministers for us and as us.

Of course, living in this fallen, we can become easily discouraged or distracted by the fallen things, the empty fears, the shocks and difficulties of this world.

James provides the quick antidote when we start feeling down:

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (James 1: 2-4)

Some may also be asking: "How am I supposed to "set my eyes on things above?"

Paul provides the answer in his Epistle to the Ephesians:

"[I pray that] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power," (Ephesians 1: 17-19)

We ask God to open the eyes of our understanding, our inner intellect. We can do this simply by asking for wisdom:

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1: 5)

We are also transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12: 2), which we accomplish as we read and meditate on His Word:

"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

"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 Corinthians 3: 17-18)

God's Word is Spirit and Life (John 6: 63), and the Holy Spirit who dwells in us lead us into all knowledge:

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

"He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

"All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you." (John 16: 13-15)

The Holy Spirit within us transforms, and through God's Word we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord. Through the Comforter who lives and dwells in every believer, we begin to see who we reallly are, just like Christ in this world.