Counsels on Self-Identity

Counsel #1 — Made In God’s Image

Picture: Counsel #1 — Made In God’s Image CI 58.1

What is the source of our identity?^[57] Is it gender? Is that our most important identifying characteristic? Does the Bible have principles that can help us sort through the current climate of gender incongruence? CI 58.2

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:26, 27 NKJV CI 58.3

“Jesus loves you, and He has given me a message for you. His great heart of infinite tenderness yearns over you. He sends you the message that you may recover yourself from the snare of the enemy. You may regain your self-respect. You may stand where you regard yourself, not as a failure, but as a conqueror, in and through the uplifting influence of the Spirit of God. Take hold of the hand of Christ, and do not let it go.” Ellen G. White in Medical Ministry, p. 43 (1903) CI 58.4

Reflect: Why do you think God made us in His image? CI 58.5