Identity: Who You Are in Christ

How do we determine value? Think about how we evaluate a car—age, color, engine size, gas mileage, features, condition. More features usually mean more value. But here’s the question: Do you evaluate people the same way? Does appearance, age, race, weight, or abilities change how you see someone’s worth?

Culture says our value is tied to looks, possessions, or status. But God says otherwise. John 3:16 tells us He loved the world so much that He sent His only Son—not to condemn us, but to save us. Your worth was purchased with Jesus’ own life. That means you can’t increase your value by being “better,” and you can’t decrease it by failing.

Now, think personally: How do you devalue others? Through gossip, criticism, payback, or ignoring them? Proverbs 20:14 warns against cheapening others’ worth. On the other hand, valuing people is essential to helping them find God, because if they don’t like you, they likely won’t be interested in your God.

Consider this mindset shift:

• If I see you as hurting, I’ll help you.
• If I see you as broken, I’ll fix you.
• But if I see you as valuable, I’ll serve you.

Serving puts others first—always. Yet, when we’re hurt, we often build walls to protect ourselves. Those walls may feel safe, but they also keep love out. Don’t let one bad experience define your future relationships. Galatians 5 reminds us that love is the highest standard, and nothing you do can make God love you more or less.

Jesus modeled relationships His way:

• He ate with Zacchaeus (Luke 19). Zacchaeus was despised by the people of Israel. He was a tax collector for the Roman government. Tax collectors extorted money from people and kept it for personal gain. How would you speak and act towards a modern-day Zacchaeus? 
• He spoke to the Samaritan woman (John 4). This woman was living in adultery. Not only was she living with a man, but she was “shacked up” with him. Doing her ordinary duty, she comes to the well to draw water and finds so much more in Jesus. She was set free because Jesus was willing to cross cultural barriers and bring no accusations or condemnation.

• He defended the woman caught in adultery (John 8). “If you are without sin, then you can throw the first stone.” That’s a statement that will stop anyone in their tracks. He asked, “Where are your accusers?” Jesus simply presented the gospel and told her to leave her life of sin. Once again, no condemnation.

Religious leaders judged Him for it, but Jesus came for the lost, not the comfortable. Religion often pushes outsiders away; relationships draw them close.

Here’s a picture: a man falls into a pit. People come by with opinions—a philosopher analyzes it, a pessimist predicts it will get worse, a legalist says he deserves it. But Jesus simply reaches down and pulls him out. That’s the heart of God.

Maybe you feel like you’re in your own “pit”—stuck in addiction, hurt, or hopelessness. Maybe you’ve kept going back to dry wells because they’re familiar. Jesus is still the one who rescues, restores, and values you beyond measure.

Here’s your challenge:

• Will you stop evaluating people by the world’s standards?
• Will you see them as God sees them—valuable, worth serving & loving?
• Will you risk tearing down your walls so you can let love in?

No matter what’s in your past, there’s victory at the foot of the cross. Your value isn’t earned—it’s given by the One who made you, and He’s ready to meet you right where you are today.