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Identity and the Worship of Self

Identity and the Worship of Self

I recently listened to a podcast in which Canadian clinical psychologist, Jordan Peterson, reads a brilliant essay he wrote and made into a video entitled, Identity Fixation; if you haven’t watched it, I recommend that you do. But this video really got me thinking …

Do we trust God? Do we surrender ourselves in mind, body, and spirit to Him and trust Him with our life, our future, and our wellbeing? Do we actively seek to fulfill the purpose God has for us? Do we accept and seek to live by divine truth, reality as God designed and intends it? Do we actively surrender our will, like Jesus did, to the will of His Father? (Matthew 26:42).

Or do we reject divine truth, reality as God designed, created, and intends it, substituting it with either our own imaginings, wishes, fantasies, feelings, and desires or some perverted view advanced by the enemy of God?

Do we make the Creator the center of our heart’s desire, surrendering self to His supreme wisdom, trusting that what He wants for us is always best and that following where He leads will ultimately be in our eternal best interest—or do we allow our feelings, desires, and selfishness to replace God at the center of our hearts so that we not only embrace the false, but we also demand that others submit their understanding to our own?

As Christians, our identity is to be found in Christ. As the apostle Paul said,

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20 NIV84).

We are to die to the old selfish ways and to live a new life in Christ. We are to be Christlike, which means we have God’s law written upon our hearts (Hebrews 8:10); we are to have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5); we are to see things with a new perspective so that the ways, methods, values, practices, and standards of the world are recognized as foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:20–31). Are we doing this?

Or are we being deceived into keeping self at the center, allowing self to define reality, allowing feelings, desires, emotions, and selfishness to overrule the wisdom of God and the truth of His Word?

Is Jesus Christ supreme in our hearts, or do we require God and others to submit to us? Do we conform ourselves to God’s standard for life, or do we require others to submit to our standard? Do we seek to know the truth as it is in Jesus, or do we declare “this is my truth” and demand everyone else submit to our declared “truth”?

Have we fallen into the trap of substituting our identity in Christ for the world’s identity standards, which is the exaltation of narcissism—the worship of the self?

Do we see the world saying, “If you feel a certain way about yourself, then that is the way you are; objective reality does not matter, evidence does not matter, God’s Word does not matter; what matters is your internal feeling, belief, attitude, mindset; if you believe that you are a certain way, then the entire world—family, friends, co-workers, employers, everyone—must submit themselves to your feelings and acknowledge your declared subjective, emotional internal experience as their own standard of reality; and if people don’t submit to your feelings, then such people are intolerant, bigoted, and violent—and justice requires that they be punished”?

Or do we recognize divine truth, that we are in a war for hearts and minds and that our natural subjective feelings, desires, and emotions are impure, infected with unholy longing, are self-centered and narcissistic, and lead only to further self-injury and, ultimately, death? Do we believe that:

Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created (James 1:14–18 NIV84).

Do we submit to the revealed truth of God’s Word, or do we reject the Word of God and, instead, cling to our own emotions? Do we recognize the strong emotions and internal desires are tempting us and that it is only through the truth as it is in Jesus that we are reborn to a new and godly life—thereby finding our true identity in Jesus? Are we willing to submit to Christ to die to self, or do we demand the world submit to us?

When we have been truly converted, when we have died to fear and selfishness, when we have been reborn into the family of God and found our identity in Jesus, only then we will recognize the truth of what Paul wrote:

“Since … you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” [If we are truly converted, then we fix our hearts upon Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and when we submit our desires to Him, we receive a new identity with new motives, new desires, and new perspectives. We die to fear, to selfishness, to narcissism. We don’t demand the world conform to our feelings or fantasies. And because we have been transformed to be like Jesus in character, when He appears we will join Him in glory!]

But notice what the apostle says is necessary for us to live our new identity in Christ. We must:

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” [We must submit our feelings, desires, fantasies, and attitudes to divine truth. We must not make self supreme and claim our feelings as the standard of reality to which all others must submit—that is idolatry, the worship of self. Instead, the righteous humble themselves and crucify self to the truth as it is in Jesus.] Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. [For those who reject objective truth, reality as it is in Jesus, they damage their minds, warp their thinking, harden their hearts, sear their consciences, and eventually destroy the faculties that respond to love and truth; at that point, there is nothing more God can do for them. Thus, God lets them go to reap what they have sown into their own hearts and minds. This is known as God’s wrath (Romans 1:18–31)]. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. [Old habits, old mistakes, old beliefs, and old practices can be replaced with the new—but only if we choose to surrender self in trust to Jesus.] But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. [Our old self is replaced with a new identity in Jesus. We look past the world’s identity politics of race, nationality, sex, economic status, and gender and, instead, look to character; are people living like Jesus, living out truth, love, and freedom in how they treat others? Or are people demanding others reject truth and submit to their fantasy views of self and then use whatever coercive methods they can employ to punish people who won’t submit to them?] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:1–14 NIV84). [Yes, the people of God, those whose identity is found in Jesus, will not collude with falsehood, will not allow the standards of this selfish world to be their own. Instead, they will live the truth, but compassionately, always in love, with genuine concern for those who love self more than God, because the righteous know that those who embrace the identity standards of this world are only destroying their own eternal souls.]

In the world today, self is supreme; one’s feelings determine the so-called “reality” that all others much recognize and praise. But the people of God recognize a higher standard, the source of infinite truth, the Creator of reality, the One who built life to operate upon the principles of love, and they will not submit their minds and hearts to the foolishness of this world but remember the wisdom of God:

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:2, 3 NIV84).

Don’t lose heart! Fix your eyes on Jesus and, no matter what scorn the world heaps upon you, you will not grow weary, you will not lose heart, but you will overcome in Jesus!

 

 

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The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

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I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, USA

 

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Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

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Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

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We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

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I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

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I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

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I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

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I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia