Introduction

God is raising a new generation of believers and leaders that is rooted and
established in the revealed knowledge of their identity in Him. The discovery of
this identity is key to becoming a secure, stable and fruitful leader in God.
Moreover, the awareness of our identity in Christ is the starting point of our
developmental process in all aspects of life.

It is vital that those who are called by God’s grace to function in a five-fold
ministerial capacity (to equip, perfect, restore, and mature the saints) be first
rooted and grounded in the knowledge of the Son of God (Eph. 4:11-13). This
“knowledge” defines their particular identity and should be imparted to the saints
as the basis for them to grow up into the fullness of Christ. Only leaders that are
clearly defined in the identity of Christ can reproduce the same. Scriptures
reveal that being conformed to His image (identity) and reproducing that image is
a vital part of God’s original intention for mankind as well as the fulfillment of His
eternal purpose for the Church (Gen. 1:27-28; Rom. 8:28-29).

Throughout this course age-old existential questions will be addressed such as;
Who am I? Where do I come from? What am I about? Why am I here? Where
am I going? And What’s my destiny?

This course is classified under the branch of systematic theology known as

“Anthropology” which means the study of humanity and/or the doctrine of human
nature. Our principal text is the Bible as it is replete with teachings concerning
God and man. Its teachings on God and humanity are intertwined in such a way
that we cannot understand one without the other. The more we learn and know
about God, the more we learn about what we are and who we are. Similarly, the
more we learn about ourselves and who we are, the more we know about God
and who He is (Rom. 1:19-21). This course reveals that man was created “by”
God and “for” God and to live “with” and “in” God (Acts 17:22-28).

As such, the course objectives serve to establish a clear understanding of that

relationship. These objectives are as follows:

1. Establish the importance of having Christ’s identity as the foundation in

the life of every believer.

2. Expose the adversary’s subtle and crafty schemes to attack and

corrupt this identity.

3. Reveal God’s redemptive plan to restore His image in man.

4. Develop God’s image in the life of the believer.

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 The Image of God Restored in Man Through the
Covenants

I. Introduction

Scripture reveals that God is a covenant-making God (Gen. 15:18; Jer.

31:31-34), a covenant-keeping God (Deu. 7:9; Psa. 111:5, 9), a covenant-
revealing God (Psa. 25:14), and a covenant-enabling God (Eph. 2:4-13).

He has never entered into a relationship with man outside of covenant

terms. His two-fold motive for establishing covenant with man is to express
and secure His love commitment towards man and to use it as a means of
revealing and fulfilling His will and purpose through man.

This unit provides an overview of the historical development of God’s image

in man based on the different covenants He has established throughout the
course of human history.

The objectives of this unit are as follows:

 Understand the significance that each covenant has in relation to God’s

image in man.

 Identify the main events that took place in the making of each covenant.

 Apply the life-lessons that each covenant provides in man’s journey to

being restored to his original image and dignity.

 Show how each covenant established had its ultimate fulfillment in the
new and eternal covenant ratified by Christ-Jesus.

II. An Overview of the Main Covenants God Made with Man

A. The Edenic Covenant: God placed His own image in man (Gen. 1-2).

B. The Adamic Covenant: God promised the “Seed” which would redeem
man’s image to its original state (Gen. 3:15).

C. The Noahic Covenant: The preservation of God’s image in man on the

earth (Gen. 6-9).

D. The Abrahamic Covenant: The blessed promise of having God’s

image in man reproduced and multiplied on earth (Gen. 12-22).

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 E. The Mosaic Covenant: God’s relationship with man’s image and his
conduct is regulated by standards (Exo. 19-40; Gal. 3:24).

F. The Davidic Covenant: The eternal promise of restoring the dignity of

man’s image to reign (Psa. 8, II Sam. 7, Psa. 89).

G. The Messianic Covenant or New Covenant: God’s perfect image fully

expressed in Christ Jesus (Heb. 1:1-3).

H. God’s Eternal Covenant: The perfect image of Christ eternally

expressed through man (Heb. 13:10; Eph. 1:3-6).

III. The Significance of the Covenants, their Related Events and Life
Lessons that Each Provides in the Journey of Restoring the Image of
God in Man

A. Edenic Covenant (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:4)

This covenant is unique because it reveals God’s original intention in

creating man in His image before sin entered and corrupted that
image.

1. Seven aspects of God’s design for man

a. Image (Identity) – God put His own image in man (Gen.

1:26).

b. Blessing – God’s affirmation, acceptance, favor, and

pleasure with man (Gen. 1:28).

c. Fruitful – God’s inherent ability and/or potential in man to

reproduce and to feel realized in himself/herself.

d. Multiply – as a result of developing his/her potential and

being productive, man has the ability to reproduce
himself/herself according to his/her own kind.

e. Fill – reveals God’s desire to fill the Earth with the

knowledge of the glory of His image through man.

f. Subdue – inherent ability in man to be a steward;

administering the Earth’s vast resources to serve God and
humanity.

g. Dominate – God’s purpose and destiny for man on Earth is

to take dominion according to His image.

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 This design is God’s original intention for man in creation and the
end that God accomplished through the redemptive work of
Christ Jesus for His people.

2. The three basic values God gave man as a result of creating him
in His image were: Dignity, Integrity and Liberty.

3. Life principles to be applied:

a. Our identity is defined and developed by the life of God

(Gen. 2:7).

b. Created as resourceful beings, we have the ability to

function according to His purpose.

c. We find our greatest fulfillment when we honor God in

reproducing and multiplying His image on earth.

d. God never authorized man to dominate another human

being.

e. God’s image in man serves as a reminder that he belongs

to Him and is dependent upon Him.

f. We fully manifest who we are when we subdue (overcome)

what threatens our identity.

g. It was never God’s original intention for man to be need

consciousness, but to live with a God consciousness.

h. God designed work to be a means of fully developing who

we are and what we have.

i. We must guard above all else God’s values, dignity, liberty

and integrity. By doing this we guarantee the fulfillment of
God’s purpose for our lives.

B. Adamic Covenant

The Adamic Covenant is the first covenant of redemption that God

makes with man after the entrance of sin into mankind and the world
(Gen. 3). It is the first manifestation of God’s grace in revealing His
intentions to redeem mankind. God’s grace begins to be unveiled in
light of man’s disobedience that caused his fall.

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 1. The “Seed” is promised that will redeem His people and restore
God’s image in man along with everything else that he lost.

2. This promised “seed” is progressively revealed in the succeeding

covenants of redemption and ultimately fulfilled in Christ and the
Church, His body.

3. The covenantal “Seed” that God promised to implant in an

earthly body gave humanity hope by promising the:

a. Introduction of a new kind of man into earth (Gal. 3:16, 4:4-

5).

b. Redemption of man from the bondage of sin and the

corruption of his image.

c. Creation of a new humanity that would reflect his very own

nature.

4. Life principles to be applied:

a. When we lose sight of what God originally said we are to

be, we become redefined into what other people or
circumstances want us to be.

b. Our dignity (worth) lies in the fact that we have been

created in His image.

c. We lose our dignity, liberty and integrity when we seek to

live our lives independent of God.

d. In trying to define our lives by ourselves we get lost within

ourselves.

e. The journey of rediscovering our identity begins by getting

back into covenantal relationship with God.

C. Noahic Covenant

The Noahic Covenant is God’s intervention to preserve His image in

mankind (Gen. 6-9; II Pet. 3:5-7). The great flood preceded the
establishment of this covenant as God’s judgment upon the earth
because of the continual evil imaginations of man’s heart (Gen. 6:5,
Jer. 3:17).

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 1. This covenant is an extension of the Edenic and Adamic
Covenants and its terms are very similar to theirs.

2. In this covenant God established regularity in the cycle of life

giving man once again the opportunity and responsibility to
reproduce, multiply, fill the earth with His image and exercise
dominion despite the fact that man’s image had been corrupted
(Gen. 8:21-22; 9:1-2).

3. God established capital punishment as a means to discourage

man from murdering another man who represented the image of
God (Gen. 9:5-6).

4. Life principles to be applied:

a. God did not command Noah to leave the sinful world to run
its own course.

b. He did not tell him to withdraw from life, but to serve Him
even in the face of corruption.

c. Noah was to serve God under the rainbow, not fly away
over the rainbow (Psa. 18:14).

d. We are to work within the cycles that regulate life on earth

to reproduce, multiply, fill the earth with God’s image and
exercise dominion.

e. We must guard against monotony and procrastination in

life, taking God’s established regularity in the world for
granted.

f. Man left alone unto himself without being a steward to no

one, will absolutely corrupt himself.

g. Man’s imagination is a powerful force on earth for good and

evil.

D. Abrahamic Covenant

The Abrahamic Covenant promises that through Abraham’s “Seed” all

the families of the earth would be blessed (Gen. 12-15, 17, 22).

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 1. This covenant is a further unfolding of God’s eternal covenant of
grace. It provided a “promise” and the “power” to bring about its
fulfillment. However, it places a demand on Abraham and his
descendants to exercise “patience” and “perseverance” (Gen.
15:1-6).

a. The first thing that God did in Abraham’s life to empower

him to fulfill the promise was to change his identity by
changing his name from Abram (exalted father) to Abraham
(father of multitudes) (Gen. 17:4-5).

b. Abram recognized his impotence to fulfill God’s mandate to

multiply the “seed”; therefore, his dignity and integrity were
at stake. Also, the world’s hope of eternal salvation.

c. God revealed His power through the illustration of the

multitude of stars in the heavens (Gen 15:5).

d. However, Abraham and Sara became “impatient” and

sought to fulfill God’s promise according to the flesh;
thereby, affecting their dignity and integrity (Gen. 16).

e. God in His grace once again confirmed His covenant with

Abraham in spite of his failure (Gen. 17).

f. Abraham is asked to offer Isaac, the promised seed, on the

altar of sacrifice (Gen. 22).

2. Life principles to be applied:

a. We must totally rely upon God’s grace and the power He

supplies for the reproduction and multiplication of His
image on earth.

b. Whenever we seek to fulfill our desires and needs

independent from God, we compromise our dignity and
integrity resulting in shame and delaying God’s process in
fulfilling His purpose in our lives.

c. God blesses with dignity according to His own schedule.

Patience is essential for reaching the goal of dignity.

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 E. Mosaic Covenant

The Mosaic covenant (also called the Law Covenant) was established
with the chosen nation of Israel at Mt. Sinai 430 years after Abraham’s
Covenant (Exo. 20-40; Gal. 3:16).

1. The Law Covenant as it relates to the image of man:

a. Served as a mirror to reflect God’s perfect moral standards

upon man’s conscience (Rom. 7:12-14).

b. Exposed the corruption of man’s image (Rom. 7:11-13).

c. Regulated man’s conduct and restrained him from further

corrupting his image.

d. Convinced man that his dignity could never be measured

by what he did because he was sinful.

e. Convinced man that he could never restore his corrupt

image by self-efforts.

f. Brought us to Christ who alone restores God’s image in us

(Gal. 3:19).

2. Life principles to be applied:

a. Our identity can never be defined by what we do or do not

do.

b. The nature of our identity is not defined by behavior, but

behavior is defined by the nature of our identity.

c. Only God can change what we are into what He has

designed for us to be.

d. He will change us into what He wants us to be when we

come to the end of our self-sufficiency and rely on His
transforming power.

F. Davidic Covenant

The Davidic Covenant is an extension of the Abrahamic Covenant in

the sense that the main promises of the Abrahamic Covenant are
confirmed and amplified in the Davidic Covenant (II Sam. 7:8-16,
I Chr. 17-7-14, compare Gen. 17:6).

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 1. Kingship was promised in this covenant to David and all his
descendants. This promise with all other previous covenantal
promises was ultimately fulfilled in Christ who was of the lineage
of David (Psa. 89; Isa. 9:6-9; Lk. 1:30-33; Mt. 11:11; Heb. 1:1-3).

2. In this covenant we see a progressive restoration of man’s

dignity by empowering him to reign.

3. The grace God granted to David enabled him to reign. This was
a great blessing conferred upon his dignity and his house.

4. David’s reaction to God’s grace and blessing in his life serves as

an example for us. It teaches us how to celebrate the dignity
and blessing He confers upon our lives.

5. Psalm 8 reveals three principles in David’s life that caused him to

celebrate.

a. He recognized God at work.

b. He recognized his insignificance.

c. He recognized the value of His blessings.

6. Life principles to be applied:

a. Rejoicing begins with the conviction that God is alive and

working on our behalf. Only as we see him at work will we
be filled with excitement and celebration.

b. The celebration of being made in the image of God

requires an understanding of how small we really are in the
natural. It is only then that we are able to appreciate how
high God’s blessings have lifted us.

c. To celebrate blessing in our lives, we must know their

value.

d. Every time we receive gifts from God, they bring us closer

to the dignity and honor for which He originally designed us
(Heb. 2:9).

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 G. Messianic Covenant

The Messianic Covenant completed God’s redemption of His image in

man by sending His own Son (Heb. 1:1-3). All previous covenants
pointed to and were to be fulfilled in Christ. He is the Seed of the
Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic and Davidic Covenants. He
became the personified covenant “Seed” of God. “I will give Thee for
a covenant of the people.” (Isa. 42:6-9)

1. Adam and Christ (I Cor. 15:45, Rom. 5:12,17; II Cor. 4:4, Col.
1:15): The New Testament calls Jesus the “last Adam” and the
“image of God”:
a. To understand how Christ restores human dignity, we need
to see Him as both the mirror image of Adam and the
opposite of Adam.

b. In what ways is Christ similar to the first Adam?

i. Both Adam and Christ were perfect images of God.
ii. Adam and Christ received similar commissions: to
multiply and have dominion.
iii. Both were representatives of the human race.

c. In what way is Christ superior to Adam?

i. Christ reversed the effects of Adam’s fall.
ii. He suffered the curse placed on Adam (Gen. 3:19;
Isa. 53:5).
iii. Where Adam caused the curse of ignobility, shame
and judgment, Christ produced life, dignity and
salvation.

d. Life principle to be applied: Those who you identify with

will be those whom you conform to (Rom. 8:28).

2. Christ and Noah (I Pet. 3:20-22). The salvation that we have in

Christ far exceeds Noah’s deliverance. Noah passed through
the waters of judgment into a world that still had corruption. We
on the other hand are baptized into the death, burial and
resurrection of Christ translating us into an eternal dimension of
His glory.

a. Life principle to be applied: We cannot be judged for the

sin that Christ was judged for on our behalf.

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 3. Abraham and Christ: The apostle Paul identified Christ as the
heir of Abraham’s blessings (Gal. 3:16).

a. As the descendant of Abraham, Christ received the

blessings of dignity that had been promised to the
patriarch.

b. The promise of multiplication given to Abraham is fulfilled in

Christ (Gal. 3:16, 27-29).

c. The promise of land to Abraham was exponentially

expanded in Christ (Rom. 4:13).

4. Christ and Moses:

a. What the law could not do (restore God’s image) because
of the weakness of the flesh, Christ accomplished by the
power of His Spirit.

b. Moses’ glory was to be a “servant”; the glory of Christ was

to make us “sons” that reflect the image of God in the face
of Christ.

c. The laws of Moses tried to regulate our behavior in order to

be accepted by God.

d. In Christ, God accepts us because of who He made us to

be (His image) and He motivates our conduct by the values
He has placed in us: dignity, liberty and integrity.

5. Christ and David: As David’s final heir, Jesus brings

incomparable kingdom blessings to God’s redeemed images. To
fully understand these blessings, we must focus on the three
blessings that came through the line of David during the Old
Testament period.

a. First, David’s house was to provide protection for Israel

against evil. Second, the royal line of Judah was to insure
prosperity for God’s people. Third, David’s house was
divinely ordained to insure the presence of God among the
people.

b. The Kingdom blessings of protection, prosperity and divine

presence did not cease with the Old Testament Davidic
Covenant.

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 c. In Christ’s exalted position, He bestows His kingdom
blessings on those that have been redeemed by His blood.
(Eph. 1:1-3).
i. Jesus guaranteed protection to His followers (Jn.
10:28; I Jn. 4:4).
ii. He blesses them with more than just material
prosperity. He blesses them with eternal spiritual
prosperity (Eph. 1:1-3).
iii. He provides the presence of God not only amongst
His people, but also literally inside the lives of His
people.

d. Life principle to be applied: If we have the King, we have

the Kingdom and its fullness.

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 God’s Plan for Redeeming Man’s Image

I. Introduction

The understanding we have obtained through studying the concepts

addressed in previous units (how God created man, what He made man to
be, how man corrupted His image, to what extent he was corrupted, and
what God did to redeem man’s image) will affect our view of salvation, the
certainty of our identity and our hope for the future. Indeed, it affects
everything.

The reformed perspective states that: God created man male and female,
after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness with
dominion over the creatures (taken from the Westminster Shorter
Catechism, question 10).

Even though that definition appears basic concerning God’s image in man’s
soul, we will be considering it in detail in this unit.

II. God’s Creation of Man, His Fall and His Redemption

A. Man as God created him

Man, Made in Scripture He Is a Faculty Man, as He

God’s Image
Has
Knowledge Col. 3:10 Rational Mind Thinks
being
Righteousness Eph. 4:24 Moral Desires (is)
and holiness being character
Dominion Gen. 1:28 Being with Will (acts)
purpose conduct

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 B. Man as sin made him

Man as God What Adam Objective Subjective

///made Him Did (Outward) (Inward)
Has
Knowledge He exchanged Rejected God’s His mind
the truth of God Word as the became at
for a lie (Rom. foundation for enmity with God
1:18-26). life. (Col. 1:21).
Righteousness He followed the Rejected God’s His desires of
and holiness way that character as the the flesh and
seemed right to absolute mind became
him (Pro. standard for corrupt (Eph.
14:12). morals. 2:1-3).
Dominion He lost Rejected God’s His will was set
dominion. will and purpose in opposition to
for his life. the will of God
(Eph. 2:1-3).

C. Man and the consequences of sin

Man as God What Adam Consequences What Man Is

Made Did Because of Sin
Him Has
Knowledge Exchanged the Inherited the Darkened in
truth of God for guilt of Adam’s understanding,
a lie. first sin. ignorant (Eph.
4:17-22).
Righteousness Followed the The want of None righteous,
and holiness way that righteousness no not one
seemed right corrupts nature (Rom. 3:10).
to him. (Eph. 2:3).
Dominion Lost dominion. Actual Under the
transgressions dominion of sin;
a slave of
corruption.

27
 D. What man does to avoid and solve his problem of sin

Man as God What Adam What Man Is What Man

Made Him Has Did Tries to Do
Knowledge Exchanged Darkened in his Ever learning
God’s truth; understanding; but never able
mind set ignorant (Eph. to come to the
against truth. 4:18). knowledge of
the truth
(II Tim. 3:7).
Righteousness Exchanged None righteous no Seeks to
and holiness God’s not one (Rom. establish his
character; 3:10). own
desires righteousness
against right. (Rom. 10:3;
Phil. 3).
Dominion Exchanged Under dominion of Promises
God’s sin; slaves of freedom
purpose; will corruption (Rom. (II Pet. 2:19).
set against 6; II Pet. 2:19).
God’s will.

Man avoids the sin problem by: rationalistic, moralistic and

deterministic arguments.

E. What man needs

Man as God Effects of Sin What man needs

made him
Objective Subjective Objective Subjective
Knowledge Exchanged Mind set Revelation Renewed
the truth of against mind
God. the truth.
Righteousness Followed Desires Reconciliation Renewed
and holiness his own against desires
way. right.
Dominion Lost Will set Restoration Renewed
dominion. against will
God’s will.

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 F. What God does for man

What man What God To bring Holy Spirit

needs has done
Revelation for a Sent a prophet Truth Illuminates the
renewed mind. mind.
Reconciliation Sent a priest Sacrifice Convicts and
for renewed cleanses
desires. conscience.
Restoration for Sent a king Freedom Renews and
a renewed will. liberates the
bondage of the
will.

The results of the work of the Holy Spirit in the mind and heart of man,
based upon God’s provision, are a repentant and changed mind, faith
and obedience.

G. What man is called to be and do

Offices of Christ The Believer is to Temptation

Prophet/Revelation Proclaim the Truth of Command stones into
God. bread.
Priest/Reconciliation Express the Grace of Jump from the
God. pinnacle of the
temple.
King/Restoration Demonstrate the Worship for the
Power of God. kingdoms of the world.

Man must cooperate with God in developing his spiritual life and
advance His kingdom (Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:17-23; Col. 3).

31
 The Development of Man’s Identity

I. Introduction

We now have an understanding of man’s identity in relation to God. We

have learned how God graciously redeemed and restored His image in man
through the work of Christ “the incorruptible seed” being planted in the
human spirit. Scripture refers to this experience as regeneration or being
born again; the time at which man becomes a new creature in Christ. This
new life is destined to grow and develop. The development of man’s
identity, who he is in Christ, becomes the focal point of man’s spiritual
growth. In this unit we will discuss at length the different aspects of this
developmental process and how it is practically achieved.

The objectives of this unit are to:

 Illustrate the metaphoric concept of the tree used in Scripture to help us

understand the organic growth process of man’s life as he seeks to be
rooted and grounded in the knowledge of who he is in relation to God.

 Define the values God has conferred upon man as a result of being
made in His image and how they are applied in one’s life.

 Identify the emotional dysfunctions that hinder the healthy development

of man’s identity and God given values.

 Explain how forgiveness is a powerful means of liberating man from

emotional bondage and liberating his identity.

II. Man’s Tree of Life

A. Throughout this unit we will refer to the prophetic imagery of the tree
as it symbolically relates to the life of man in both the Old and New
Testament. This imagery will enable us to further understand the
development of our human identity as it is rooted and grounded in
Christ.

B. The concept of the tree is seen throughout Scripture as a metaphor in

relation to man and/or a nation.

1. There are many Old Testament examples.

a. God is the sovereign creator of all trees (Gen. 1:11-12;

I Cor. 4:7).

33
 b. God established the precedent of relating man’s life to
trees (Gen. 2:9, 16-17).

c. Man’s organic process of development and prosperity in

relation to God’s word (Psa. 1; Pro. 11:30).

d. Prophetic metaphor of man’s redemption using the tree

(Exo. 15:23-25; Deu. 21:22-23).

e. Believers’ that receive the Lord’s prophetic ministry are

called “Oaks of Righteousness” (Isa. 61:3).

f. The righteous “planted” in the house of the Lord shall

flourish like the palm tree (Psa. 92:12-15).

g. The principle of staying true to one’s identity and function

as it relates to one’s unique purpose; thereby, producing
fruit after its own kind as revealed in the metaphor of trees
(Jdg. 9:7-15).

h. Ezekiel’s vision of ministerial trees being raised up along

God’s river flowing from His house to feed and heal the
nations (Ezk. 47:1-7).

2. There are many New Testament examples as well.

a. The blind man in the process of receiving his sight saw

men as trees (Mk. 8:24).

b. The Olive tree in reference to natural Israel (Mk. 13:28-33).

c. Believing Israel – both Jews and Gentiles (Rom. 11; Eph.

2:12-22).

d. The Tree of Life promised to those who overcome (Rev.

2:7; 22:2, 14).

e. Jesus revealing the true nature of man (Mt. 12:33-35; 7:15-

23; II Tim. 2:19).

C. The anatomy of the tree – concerning man’s tree life

See graphic illustration of tree on the following page.

35
 INTEGRITY
LIBERTY
I
D
E
STEWARDSHIP
N
DIGNITY T
I
T
Y

Man’s System of Thought

“As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” Pro. 23:7
PREDESTINATION

RECONCILIATION
REGENERATION

PRESERVATION

GLORIFICATION
JUSTIFICATION

FORGIVENESS

ACCEPTANCE

INHERITANCE
REDEMPTION
ADOPTION
ELECTION
GRACE

Christ’s Knowledge
Modification by Apostle Gary González of the illustration of Dr. José D. Batista, Más Allá de
la Inteligencia Emocional, (México, D.F.: Casa de Pan, 2003). Used by permission.

37
III. The Basis of Your Identity

A. What is the basis of your identity? The discovery of man’s identity

begins with an encounter with Christ who restores in him the values
with which he was originally created, grants him the opportunity to
develop his whole being, and establishes a new process of learning
and developing (I Th. 5:23). This process includes the following:

1. Renewal of the understanding, in terms of how he thinks (Rom.

12; Pro. 27:3; Eph. 2:17-24).

2. Breaking down emotional strongholds (I Cor. 2:6-16).

3. Manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in the life of the believer (Gal.
5:16-26).

4. Speaking a new language and a manifestation of effective

relationships.

IV. Developing Our Identity in Christ

A. The process of spiritual development takes place as the individual

recognizes and develops the fundamental values of his identity in
Christ. These values, dignity, freedom, and integrity, are the ones that
qualify him/her to be used as an effective steward. All these come
from God through the life of Christ to the believer. Next, we will
discuss these values in light of the Scriptures.

V. Discovering the Values of Your Identity

A. Definition of Terms

1. Identity: The power of BEING (I am) “I am what I am by the

grace of God…” (I Cor. 15:10). God made me into what I am in
Christ Jesus. I did not make myself (Eph. 2:10; Psa. 100:3);
therefore, I give myself the liberty to accept myself as He made
me to be (Eph. 1:4-6). Nothing and no one can make me
because I was made complete in Him before anything or any one
came into my life (Col. 2:10). The people and the things that
God allows in my life are only designed to develop the full
potential that He has already placed in me (Col. 1:26-28, Eph.
4:11-12, Rom. 8:28).

2. Dignity: The acknowledgment of the image of God in me and in

others. The glory, value, worth, excellence, love, and

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 acceptance of what I am. The recognition of what He has said
that I am, not necessarily what other people say that I am (Mt.
16:13, 15, 16-17). No one can receive the blessing of what you
can give until they first recognize and receive who you are (Mt.
10:40-42).

This is a very important principle to understand because we have

been taught the opposite throughout our lives; that to BE
somebody you had to DO something. In other words, my BEING
was based on performance instead of performing as a means to
develop my BEING.

a. Positive attitudes and behaviors are produced when one

recognizes the worth (dignity) of God’s image on the inside
of them (I Cor. 15:9-10).
i. Self-esteem and esteem towards others. I will not
dishonor (disrespect, unappreciated) my life or other
people’s lives. I have the capacity to appreciate
others and give recognition.
ii. A life of excellence – a motivation to develop and
apply one’s maximum capacity. “Nothing makes me; I
develop according to God’s potential in me.” As an
influential leader, you will be passionately motivated
to see others develop in their God-given potential,
helping them to become all that they have been
designed to BE and DO.
iii. Interdependent relationships – the development of
interdependent relationships, not being co-dependent
on others. The empowerment to have effective
relationships and certain social status and/or
positions. These relationships and positions do not
make the individual; he or she makes them (Eph.
4:15-16; Col. 2:19).
iv. Confidence in what one IS – the confidence in what
you are, not blaming others for your emotions
because you have ownership of them. No one can
hurt you, unless you allow other people’s spiritual
immaturity and insecurities to affect your emotions by
their verbal, attitudes and/ or other means of offense.
v. Capacity to TRUST – trusting others because your
trust is not based on their weaknesses, but on the
inner strength that God has given (Eph. 3:14-18).
vi. A consciousness of being elected of God. In the
natural, millions of sperms and thousands of eggs
were produced by your parents but neither they nor
you could decide which of them would unite. Your life

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 is the wondrous result of the election of God. So it is
in the spiritual sense (Jn. 1:13; Jas. 1:18; I Pet. 1:2, 3;
Eph. 1:4-5; I Th. 2:13)
vii. A sense of purpose: you are created with and for
purpose. God has empowered you with the potential
to fulfill your specific purpose. What a transforming
truth to embrace, that God Himself has dignified us
with the reflection of His own image and likeness!

b. Consequences of a lack of dignity – unable to recognize

the image of God in your life, thereby stifling the
development or release of your potential.
i. Surrendering your emotions to another develops
codependent relationships. Resentment, blame and
bitterness are generated when unfulfilled
expectations, whether spoken or unspoken, are not
met.
ii. Unable to take responsibility for your life; seeking
codependent relationship with strong authority figures
to make your decisions so you can absolve yourself of
responsibility when things do not work out. This
creates a vicious cycle of feeding the very thing that
you need to be liberated from.
iii. Pressure to perform to be somebody or to conform to
some one, group or system in order to be approved or
appreciated. Constantly seeking approval and
affirmation from others and when it is not given
becoming resentful.
iv. Works of the flesh are produced (Gal. 5:19-20):
 Idolatry – replacing God with another life source.
 Witchcraft – a vengeful, manipulative and
controlling attitude expressed through
accusations, judgments, guilt and blame.
 Hatred – resentment, lack of forgiveness and
bitterness.
 Discord – schisms in relationships.
 Jealousy – Coveting what others have as a
result of being blinded to what you already have.
 Fits of rage – extreme anger expressed when
you feel violated or dishonored.

3. Integrity – the state of being whole or complete; undivided and

without duplicity. Uncompromising adherence to moral and
ethical principles (Jas. 1:8; Col. 2:6-10; Psa. 15:1-2; Rom. 8:14).
Being true to one’s self is the premise for character formation.
It’s what brings about the consistency between BEING and

43
 DOING. It is the foundational principle of our autonomy as
individuals and gives us the capacity to be true (honest) with
ourselves and with others. It is the inner solidarity that enables us
not to be hurt when our trust is violated by others’ lack of integrity.

a. Virtues or effects of integrity.

i. Honesty – seeking, speaking and living according to
truth.
ii. Transparency – not hiding from God, your own reality
or others because you are free from shame and guilt.
Transparency always leads to transformation (II Cor.
3:12-18).
iii. Responsibility – the basis for trustworthiness; to be
entrusted with God’s resources and the resources of
others.
iv. Productivity – consistency, perseverance, and
diligence; necessary qualities for a productive and
prosperous life.
v. Stewardship – managing healthy relationships and
administrating and organizing all kinds of resources.

b. Consequences when integrity lacks

i. Confusion – a divided heart that produces internal
and external contradictions and instability (Jas. 1:8).
ii. Pride – an improper view of one’s self and the
absence of humility. Refusing to recognize error,
weakness or fault. The rejection of self-examination
and the examination of others.
iii. No recognition of limitations – a lack of respect for the
parameters that have been established for yourself or
others. An inability to negotiate by respecting other
people’s territory and reconciling differences.
iv. Unable to handle confrontations – an unwillingness to
admit when you are wrong; manifesting reactive
behavior such as covering up, fleeing, blaming or self-
justification.
v. The works of the flesh will be produced:
 Sexual immorality – seeking external
gratification to pacify inner discontentment
caused by a person feeling incomplete, divided,
and inner anxieties.
 Impurity – for the same reasons listed above.
 Lasciviousness – for the same reasons listed
above.
 Lying – for the same reasons listed above.

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 4. Liberty – the state of being free from the control of others. Man
was created to be free from his own emotions, needs, and co-
dependency of others. Liberty addresses many dimensions in
man’s life (Gal. 5:1; Rom. 6:7-23; I Cor. 9:1). It is the result of
being and doing according to the identity that has been given to
us in the image of God.

a. Liberty establishes the guidelines (parameters or

principles) of authority in an individual’s life and relationship
towards others (Jn. 19:10-11).
i. Liberty produces the power of choosing between a
stimulus and a response (Jn. 10:17-18).
ii. The capacity to serve. Only when one is free from
personal needs, circumstances and the opinions of
others can he unconditionally serve man (Jn. 10:11-
18; Gal. 5:13-14; Phil. 2:5-8).
iii. The capacity to submit and obey (Phil. 2:5-8)
iv. Self-control – enables a person to respect the dignity
of others, separating the situation from the person.
The ability to exercise patience and be sensitive to
others’ needs.

b. When liberty is surrendered there are consequences.

i. One becomes enslaved to needs, circumstances, or
others (Phil. 4:13).
ii. A victim mentality develops.
iii. Sadness, resentment, hatred, wrath, rebellion,
witchcraft, depression and conformity are produced.

5. Stewardship – the administration of an individual’s life and all

God has entrusted to him. It is the development and
manifestation of one’s full potential. The primary means of
exercising stewardship is by serving or dispensing the wealth
God has enriched us with because of who we are (identity) and
what He has given us (dignity). Our stewardship is sustained
and developed by our integrity.

a. A steward is a person entrusted with the management of

resources or affairs not his own. Stewardship
encompasses the capacity to dispense, distribute,
negotiate, invest, cultivate, develop and administrate the
goods of another. Our stewardship enables us to develop
what we already have to its utmost potential. We don’t
have to strive in our stewardship to become somebody or
attain something (Mt. 25:14-21; Lk. 19:11-27).

47
 b. It is the exercise of our freedom in becoming all we have
been designed to be and to do all that we inherently are
capable of doing.
i. It develops a resource mentality.
ii. The potential of what we already are motivates our
stewardship.
iii. We grow by caring for people and things.
iv. The development of our stewardship is what causes
our influence in the world to increase.

c. Stewardship decreases or is lost when:

i. We despise and neglect who we are and what we
have.
ii. We lose integrity; the basis of faithfulness and the key
to increasing in all that we are and have.
iii. We act irresponsible and reactive towards challenges
in life.
iv. We complain and murmur about who we are, what we
have or don’t have and disrespect others’ dignity.

B. The manifestation of God’s identity in me by the fruits of the Spirit.

The Fruits of the Spirit based on the Values vs. the Works of the
Flesh.

Image Fruits Works of the Flesh

Adultery
Love, respect, patience, Fornication
Dignity Uncleanness
gentleness, goodness
Lasciviousness
Idolatry
Witchcraft
Integrity Meekness, humility Hatred
Discord
Jealousy
Fits of rage
Selfish ambition
Liberty Joy, peace, temperance
Dissensions
Strife
Drunkenness
Orgies
Stewardship Faithfulness Envy
Murder

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VI. Cultivating the “Root System” of Your Identity

A. The Scripture is full of examples that speak about having a root

system. The following are but just a few:

1. Proverbs 23:7 “…as a man thinketh in his heart so he is…”

2. Ephesians 3:17 “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through
faith, being rooted and grounded in love…”

3. Colossians 2:6-7 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as

Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him…”

B. The root system symbolically represents the knowledge of God as

revealed in Christ Jesus. It is our belief system, which nurtures our
identity in Him and develops His values in us. Thus our root system
can be defined more specifically as the doctrines (teachings) of Christ
Jesus that reveal who we are, what we are and how God created us
into the perfect image of His Son - Christ.

C. The teachings of Christ reveal God’s manifold grace and wisdom of

how He created us into His image. Some of these teachings are as
follows:

Grace Redemption Preservation

Election Forgiveness Glorification
Predestination Reconciliation
Adoption/sonship Acceptance
Regeneration Inheritance

D. A clear understanding of each of the biblical terms that represent the

teachings of Christ produces a “Language of Grace” that nurtures our
identity and its corresponding values.

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 The Process to Develop the Identity

I. Introduction

The development of our identity and the manifestation of our maximum

potential require a process of diligence and discipline on our part. It
requires certain qualities and attitudes that are necessary for its success.
Some of these qualities are honesty, transparency, and humility. It requires
also a commitment to excel so that God is glorified in and through us.
Keeping a teachable attitude and allowing yourself to be helped by others
are indispensable in the process.

II. Development of Our Identity

A. Regeneration of the spirit (Tit. 3:5-7)

B. Renewal of the understanding (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23; Col. 3:10)

C. Transformation of life (Rom. 12:1-2; Col 3:!2)

D. Reformation all things (Heb. 3:19-21; 9:1,9-14)

53
 The Process of Restoring the Image of God in Man’s
Soul

(Illustration)

GLORIFICATION/
CREATION MANIFESTATION
(Gen. 1:27-28) (Rom. 8:18-28)
Body

SEDUCTION/ RESTORATION
DECEPTION (Eph. 4:17-25;
(Gen. 3:1-7) II Cor. 3:7-18)
Soul

NEW CREATION
REBELLION (Eph. 2:8-10; II Cor.
(Gen. 3:8-12 5:16-18; Tit. 2:3-7;
Rom. 1:18-25) I Pet. 1:3, 23;
Jas. 1:18; Jn. 1:12-13)
Spirit

CORRUPTION RESURRECTION
(Gen. 3:16-20 (Eph. 2:4-7)
Eph. 2:1-3)

REDEMPTION
(Gen. 3:15; Gal. 3:16;
4:4)

55
 Bibliography

Batista, José. Más Allá de la Inteligencia Emocional. México: Casa De Pan,

2003.

Berkhof, Luis. Teología Sistemática. Grand Rapids: Libros Desafío, 1988.

Conner, Kevin J. and Malmin, Ken. The Covenants. Portland: Bible Press,
1983.

Conner, Kevin J. The Foundations of Christian Doctrine. Portland: Bible

Temple, 1980.

Erickson, Millard J. Introducing Christian Doctrine, sec. ed. Grand Rapids:

Baker Academic, 2001.

House, H. Wayne. Charts of Christian Theology & Doctrine. Grand Rapids:

Zondervan, 1992.

Pratt, Jr., Richard L. Designed for Dignity, sec. ed. Phillipsburg: P&R, 2000.

Roberts, Linleigh J. Let Us Make Man. Carlisle: Banner of Truth, 1988.

Sherlock, Charles. The Doctrine of Humanity. Downers Grove: Intervarsity,

1996.

57
 Assignment

1. According to Proverbs 23:7, man is as he thinks in his heart.

True ____ False _____

2. What are the seven aspects of God’s design for man?

3. Name the three basic values God gave man as a result of creating him in
His image.

4. The discovery of man’s identity begins with an encounter with Christ who
restores in him the values with which he was originally created, grants him
the opportunity to develop his whole being, and establishes a new process
of learning and developing (I Th. 5:23). This process includes the
following:

5. According to the manual, what is the definition of dignity?

6. Write in what way this course has impacted your life and in what way can
it change the way you relate to others.

7. God restored man’s identity progressively through the covenants He

revealed and established. ____True ____False

8. In light of the illustration of the “tree of life”, on what “root knowledge” is

the believer’s identity cultivated?

9. Name some of the consequences of man losing his/her identity.

10. Describe the process of God’s restoration of man’s soul (see the
illustration provided).

11. What are the seven aspects of God’s design for man?

12. What are the values that God gave to the believer?

13. Name the four principles for the development of our identity.

14. The Abrahamic covenant promises that through Abraham’s “seed” all the
families of the earth will be blessed. ____True ____False

15. The Law in relation to man’s image: it exposed the corruption of

________________________.

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16. The nature of our identity is not defined by our behavior but our behavior
is defined by the nature of our identity. ____True ____False

17. How is Christ similar to Adam?

18. Give five New Testament examples where the anatomy of the tree is used
as a metaphor referring to man. (3 points)

59