ABC’s of Value & Worth

The Apostle John sketches out a panoramic perspective of growth as Christians in 1 John 2:12-14, “beloved children,” “young adults” and “fathers.” All three are crucial and deepen over a lifetime, although I want to bask only in this first one now. For this 1^st stage, John suggests a spiritual DNA with three essentials for healthy growth. (1) Accepted/ Affirmed because of His full forgiveness (“your sins have been forgiven”); (2) Belonging because of the Father’s initiating “first-love” (to “know the Father”) (3) Competence as Jesus begins to train and outfit us with all we need to partner with Him on His epic adventure (“on account of His name”). I call this God’s ABC’s of identity, value/worth.

1. Accepted/Affirmed: Fully & Finally Forgiven: Forgiveness is remedial, removing every barrier that blocks relationship with the Father. We owed God an unpayable debt for the sins we committed. Christ has taken all of these upon Himself (“Himself for me”), along with all our guilt and shame, past, present, and future. If our life is not firmly grounded in this rock-solid assurance, we develop elaborate defense and coping mechanisms to block out pain and gain a fragment of counterfeit acceptance and significance. These false strategies block authentic life.

2. Belonging: Beloved & Blessed Child: You were born to be loved by your heavenly Father. “Í see and adore you,” reassures Your heavenly Father.” “You matter to Me.” “I prize you.” “You are loveable!” The old is gone; the new is here (2 Corinthians 5:17), even though we are still very much in-process. It’s breathtaking how much the Father loves you! We are our Father’s beloved and blessed child, His very favorite because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). We are now home in His presence, the home we have always looked for. Without this absolute, unswerving assurance of His willing choice, we will go about our lives with a futile striving to prove our value through what we do.

3. Competent: Jesus Calls Us to Explore with Him: Jesus is the great Explorer and doesn’t like to work alone. The King of kings recovers His territory as He partners with us to explore and conquer. Step beyond the confines of what we feel we can control. Develop an environment with “high learning, low shame,” which encourages each to step out…even if a bit terrified! This demands risk-taking, adaptability and ingenuity, flowing out of complete trust to explore both internal and external change. “Am I enough?” “Do I have what it takes?” “Am I worthy?” Jesus replies to our eager hearts, “Yes…and only in and with Me!”

Soak now in the ABC’s of identity resting in our Team-of-Three. Slow, incremental growth is normal in some seasons of life so be patient!

This came from my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com