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QUESTION 56:
Who is the real "ME"? Who or what am "I"?

ANSWER:
To find our true identity we have to go back to the beginning of man. God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness . . . " - Genesis 1:26. You will note the plural pronoun "our" and "us." This is the triune God speaking. He made man in His image - a tripartite being, God--Father--Son--Spirit. "In our likeness," tells us we were originally made like God, righteous. When Adam sinned, sin invaded his being and corrupted the whole man. Man became separated from God. The likeness of God in him was lost and the image was marred. This is called in the Bible "the old man" - Romans 6:6; Colossians 3:9; and Ephesians 4:22.

This is not the real "ME" that God made. This old man is a product, not of God, but of Satan and sin. This is "what" we are by nature and practice. The person that God made is the real "ME." This real "ME" was made in Genesis 2:7, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, (body) and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit of man); and man became a living soul." Here are the three components that make up the real man. This is the real "ME." You will either, be redeemed from the "old man" and sin, or you will perish in your sins.

When Christ died on the cross He provided forgiveness for all that we have done. He died to redeem, not the "old man" of sin and Satan, but the real "ME" that God made. To all that receive Him and are saved their "old man" is crucified with Christ - Romans 6:6. They are no longer under his dominion. He is not the master of their lives any longer. Galatians 2:20; and Galatians 6:14. This is a truth Christians ought to know and enjoy. If you are not a Christian you are still in the realm of the "old man and sin." In one form or another sin governs your manner of life. You are not free. "Whosoever committeth sin is a servant (slave) of sin"--John 8:34.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen