No, you are not. But, you ARE deceived. We have been sold a bill of goods and God wants to correct our way of thinking about ourselves and about Him.

God wants us to see ourselves as He sees us. In order for us to do that, there are a couple of things we need to get straight:

1. Jesus is God in the flesh. When we “see” one, we “see” the other. They are different in person, but not in character. In fact, the third Person of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. They are Three-In-One, complete in fellowship and one in thought and purpose. Therefore, whatever Jesus says about His Father, and anything Jesus does, represents God the Father perfectly.
2. God gave us free will–complete free will. We have the ability to choose not to receive His love. Why would anyone refuse the Father’s love? Well, that’s what we’re going to talk about.

We are created in the Trinity’s image. There is SO MUCH about us that is in three’s: Body, soul and spirit; mind, will and emotion; intellect, feelings and physical (to name a few). Mankind interacted with the Trinity on all of these levels. But then, man chose to believe a lie, and that lie led to rebellion. The lie came from the enemy (a discussion for another time). Once the deed was done, they no longer saw themselves as loveable.

Let’s stop right here and ask, “What has changed in the relationship?” Nothing except their perception. What did God do? He came looking for them. Were there consequences for their rebellion? Yes, but they were not punishment, only consequences. In fact, we are still living according to those consequences today. Are they God’s fault? No. He didn’t punish us with them; they are a distortion of the good world that God had created for us.

In the perpetuation of the lie, we fear death. Jesus came to reintroduce us to the Father and to experience everything we fear–even death! Being God, He rose from the dead to show us that we need not fear death, consider ourselves separated from God, nor think of ourselves as dung. In the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God the Father wants us to be reunited with Him. He wants us to change the direction of our lives and to begin to listen to Him. The first thing He wants us to do is to change the way we think about Him and about ourselves. We are His creation and He wants us back!

Consider:

1. A God who loves you enough to die for you;
2. A heavenly Father who wants a personal relationship with you;
3. A Savior who wants to walk with you through life as your personal God and Guide.

It doesn’t get any better than that! So, let me ask again, are you so bad? NO! Jesus thought enough of you to die for you.

“I asked Jesus how much He loved me.” “He replied, ‘I love you this much…’
and He spread out His arms–and died.”

Come to Jesus. He’s waiting for you. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. I promise, He will!