Most people, Christians included, live in bondage of what people think about them. We give people power to determine our self worth. If we are somebody that is frequently praised and surrounded by friends, we are more likely to think highly of ourselves, though it is no guarantee. If people’s words and actions fail to meet our expectations, we often are met with feelings of insecurity and insignificance. The problem with this cycle is that it is bondage. There is no escaping it, except for one thing: the cross of Jesus Christ. What if we lived in light of what God says about us?
We are more than conquerors (Rom. 8:37)
We are sons and daughters of God and therefore heirs (Gal. 4:7)
We are God’s treasured possession (Deut. 7:6)
We are image bearers of God (Gen. 1:26-27)
We are of more value than many sparrows (Matt. 10:31)
We are friends of Jesus, the creator of the universe (John 15:15)
This list is not so that we may boast in who we are, but that we may boast in a Savior who procured all of these. We don’t need to give people our worship in the hopes they might tell us who we are and what we are worth. Jesus has already told us who we are and what we are worth. Now give Him the worship He is due.