Who Am I?
by Paul Hazelden

Introduction

Who am I?

• I am a child of God.

What does this mean? Far more than I could possibly say. But, at the very least, it means these three things.

• He loves me freely, fully, and just the way I am.
• He loves me too much to leave me the way I am.
• He calls me to respond to His love by following His Son, Jesus.

Details

  Grace

• He loves me freely, fully, and just the way I am.

I am someone who is loved by God. I don't have to do anything to earn His love; I can't do anything to make Him love me any more or any less; His continued love is not dependent upon my willingness to change, my faithfulness, or anything else on my part; His love is not provisional or conditional. He knows everything about me, so nothing can surprise Him or make Him change His mind.

  Transformation

• He loves me too much to leave me the way I am.

God wants the very best for me, which is why He wants to transform me into the image of His Son.

God's love for me cannot change, but my experience of His love can change. He rewards obedience and punishes disobedience, both because He loves me.

  Discipleship

• He calls me to respond to His love by following His Son, Jesus.

Jesus called people to be His followers, His disciples. We follow Him by getting on with His work.

The way we usually work, you have to be trained and qualified before you are allowed to do anything. In God's Kingdom, you are called to love and you are called to service from day one. The training is done on the job, as you walk with Jesus.