Teaching summary
Pastor Lori Rola explores the question, "Do you love yourself?" She shares how understanding God’s deep love transforms self-perception. By seeing ourselves as God sees us—righteous, holy, and blameless—we can learn to love ourselves the way He does. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on the present, not the past, and embracing our new identity in Christ. The message encourages believers to affirm their worth and live in the overwhelming reality of God’s love.
Bible verses referenced
2 Corinthians 5:21 – "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
2 Corinthians 5:17 – "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new."
Colossians 3:4 – "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."
Colossians 3:12 – "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering."
Colossians 1:22- "In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight."
Ephesians 1:18 – "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints."
Titus 3:7 – "That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Philippians 4:8 – "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Introduction: Do You Love Yourself?
- Understanding God’s Love for You
- Becoming a New Creation in Christ
- Joined in Oneness with God
- You Are Holy, Blameless, and Innocent
- Living in Superabundant Grace
- Moving Forward and Embracing Today
- Concluding Thoughts: Living in God’s Love
Introduction: Do You Love Yourself?
Pastor Lori opens by asking the question, "Do you love yourself?" She shares that at one point, she wasn’t sure of the answer. However, as she gained more revelations about God’s love, she realized that loving herself was connected to seeing herself the way God sees her.
She introduces 2 Corinthians 5:21, stating: "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." This verse was a turning point for her, leading her to understand that she is the righteousness of God.
Understanding God’s Love for You
Pastor Lori emphasizes how discovering God’s love brings transformation. She cites 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new."
She encourages believers to acquaint themselves with the new identity God has given them, rather than clinging to old ways of thinking. Seeing ourselves through the lens of God’s love changes our perspective on life.
Becoming a New Creation in Christ
She highlights Colossians 3:4: "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."
This realization helped her embrace the truth that Christ defines her life. She urges believers to recognize that everything evident in Christ is also evident in them. Being in Christ means living in a state of oneness with Him.
Joined in Oneness with God
She explores the idea of being joined in oneness with God. She quotes Colossians 3:12: "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering."
Understanding that she is fully restored to God’s original thought helped her embrace her identity in Christ. The more she meditated on this truth, the more her confidence grew.
You Are Holy, Blameless, and Innocent
Pastor Lori reflects on how Paul often refers to believers as "saints," which means "blameless and holy." She references Colossians 1:22: "In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight."
She encourages believers to grasp the weight of these words—God sees us as blameless and holy because of Jesus. Nothing stands between the Father and His children; Jesus paid it all.
Living in Superabundant Grace
She continues with Ephesians 1:18: "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints."
God’s grace is superabundant, and it releases wisdom and understanding in every area of life. She encourages believers to recognize the fullness of what has been given to them.
Moving Forward and Embracing Today
Pastor Lori shares a personal revelation from God: we have eyes in the front of our heads, not in the back. She explains that this symbolizes the need to focus on today, rather than dwelling on the past.
She quotes Titus 3:7: "That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
We are not defined by our past mistakes. God’s righteousness is ours today. She urges listeners to live in the present reality of who they are in Christ.
Concluding Thoughts: Living in God’s Love
Pastor Lori closes with Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
She encourages believers to live overwhelmed by God’s opinion of them, to embrace their true identity, and to speak love over themselves daily. She shares how repeating "Lori, I love you" in the mirror transformed her mindset. She encourages listeners to do the same and start seeing themselves as God sees them.
We hope this article has blessed you. Take a moment to remind yourself of God’s great love. Share this message with others and encourage them to embrace their true identity in Christ!