Significance: A Core Emotional Need

Who I Am In Christ Series,   Part 6

We all have core emotional needs, and one of those is the need to feel significant.  In adolescence we begin to question “Who am I?  Why am I here?”  We all want to feel that our life matters.

Dr. Neil Anderson recognized this when he divided his “Who I Am In Christ” list into three sections:  I am accepted, I am secure, and I am significant.  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines significant as “important; having or likely to have influence or effect.”  God has given each of us the desire to have an effect on our world.  We were created to be influencers!  In this article we will begin exploring this third section of the “Who I Am In Christ” list.

I Am Salt And Light

The first statement of truth in this section is, “I am the salt and light of the earth.”  This comes from Matthew 5:13-16.  Speaking to His disciples, Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.  You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Jesus compares us to salt and light.  We seldom give much thought to salt today, but in biblical days it was a very precious commodity.  In fact, Roman troops were often paid their wages in salt rather than gold.  (This is where the phrase “He’s not worth his salt” originates.)  Salt is used to flavor and preserve.  When we share the gospel and someone responds, accepting Christ as their Savior, their life is “preserved” in heaven for all eternity.

Light is also valuable.  From it we get warmth, and illumination for our path.  In John 8:12 Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  By calling His followers the light of the world, Jesus reveals that we share in His mission to bring the gospel to those around us.  This assignment is not relegated to pastors and evangelists.  Every Christian is to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  Can you think of any other task that is more significant?

I Am A Branch

Next on the list is this statement:  “I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life.”  The origin of this is John 15:1,5.  Again Jesus is speaking to His disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener…I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

A branch draws its life from the vine.  If the branch is separated, it withers and dies and is unable to bear fruit, which is its purpose.

When we are saved we enter into a personal relationship with Christ.  We nurture that relationship by prayer (communicating with Him), reading the Bible (receiving instruction from His Word), and actively participating in a local church (enjoying fellowship and encouragement from other believers).

I know that some Christians today dismiss the importance of that last point.  However, Hebrews 10:24-25 clearly states, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another– and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Like it or not, the Bible says not going to church is a habit– a bad habit.  We are strengthened when we gather together, and this enables us to bear much fruit.  God wants us to stay connected to Him and one another!

I Am Chosen And Appointed

Continuing with this theme, the next truth statement is, “I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.”  John 15:16 says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit– fruit that will last– and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

We sing, “I have decided to follow Jesus,” and of course that’s true.  You made a conscious choice to accept Jesus as your Savior.  But it’s also true that Jesus chose you.  I was born without an athletic bone in my body, and I still remember always being chosen last for any team (actually I wasn’t chosen, I was just left over after all the other choices were made).  But God doesn’t treat you as a leftover.  God intentionally chose you to be on His team!  I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel pretty special.

And beyond that, God also appointed you.  The word appointed means “officially chosen for a position or responsibility.”  God has chosen and appointed us to be His ambassadors.  Our task is to share the gospel with those around us– to bear fruit for His kingdom.

I Am A Witness

How are we to do this?  The next statement of truth gives us the answer:  “I am a personal witness of Christ’s.”

A witness is someone who gives testimony or evidence of something he knows, something he has seen or experienced.  We’ve all seen those scenes on TV or in the movies where a person puts his left hand on the Bible, raises his right hand, and answers the charge, “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”

In Acts 1:8 Jesus speaks to His disciples after the resurrection: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We bear fruit by testifying to what Jesus has done for us.  But we don’t do this on our own; the Holy Spirit will guide us and give us the courage to speak and the words to say.  Our witness begins with our family (“Jerusalem”), and extends to our community (“all Judea and Samaria”) and beyond (“to the ends of the earth”).  

God doesn’t force us to do this; He invites us to participate in the Great Commission.  A witness must testify willingly, not under coercion.  To be a witness is a serious and significant responsibility.

I Am God’s Temple

The next statement, “I am God’s temple,” points out a major difference between Christianity and all other religions.  First Corinthians 3:16 says, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?”  Other religions have external gods and external temples or churches.  But when you pray to receive Jesus as your Savior, He comes to dwell within you.  You become the temple of God.  The Holy Spirit fills you and you become His for all eternity.  No other religion can say that.  

This unique arrangement means we have a responsibility to care for that temple.  We must avoid activities and substances that will damage our body and our testimony.  There’s an old adage, “You are the only Jesus some people will ever see.”  We want to present an authentic picture of Jesus to those we live and work with.

I Am A Minister Of Reconciliation

The last statement we’ll look at today is this, “I am a minister of reconciliation for God.”  You may not think of yourself as a minister, but that’s how God describes you!  To be a minister is to have a position of importance and influence.  How’s that for significant?

Award-winning Christian novelist and journalist Jessica Brodie says, “Reconciliation is the restoration of harmony and unity with God and others through Jesus Christ.”  I like that definition.  We are called to bring restoration and healing to broken relationships.  We can lead others to a saving relationship with Jesus, and God can also use us to bring peace to torn relationships with others.  

Hopefully our look at these six characteristics will help you see just how significant you really are.  There is no greater cure for poor self esteem or a poor self image than to discover and embrace the truths of your identity in Christ.  I lived much of my Christian life in despair and defeat because I was unaware of who I really was.  But now I can truly say I am living the transformed life, and I started this blog so I could reveal these truths to other Christians who are struggling as I did.  If you have missed any of the previous articles in this series, you will find them listed below in Related Posts.  I highly encourage you to read them all.

We are almost at the end of our journey here– but as the infomercial guy shouts, “But wait!  There’s more!”  Stay tuned for the final installment!

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Related Posts

“The Issue of Identity” part 1

“Acceptance:  A Core Emotional Need ” part 2

“You Are Accepted!” part 3

“Security:  A Core Emotional Need” part 4

“You Are Secure!” part 5