Read Psalm 139:13-24. 13For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 17How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. 19Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! 20They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain. 21Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? 22I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. 23Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
One of the most amazing truths that Christianity upholds is the value of the individual. Not only are we all made in the image of God, we are all made unique, special, and exceptional. Truly we are each fearfully and wonderfully made.
Just as the doctrine of imago dei does not steal away the wonder of our individuality, neither does the doctrine of our union with Christ. In Christ we are simultaneously becoming more and more like Jesus while also becoming more and more our unique, true self. Union with Christ does not create “Christ Clones” or mass produced “Jesus Robots.” No. We are more authentic, more genuine, more original than ever before.
In Christ we can embrace every good thing about ourselves as part of God’s wonderful creative work in us, while also confronting every sin, every personality flaw, and every corner of faithlessness. Knowing we are not only fearfully and wonderfully made, but also fearfully and wonderfully RE-MADE in Christ allows us to pray search me, O God.
That’s the prayer of someone who understand to live is Christ.
You: Do you believe that you are specially made by God?
You in Christ: How does our union with Christ make us more unique, not less?
Christ in you: How does knowing that you are wonderfully remade in Christ allow you to confront the sin in your life?
Pray: Father, search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Amen.
To Live is Christ 