Who We Are Before God
In relating to God (especially in prayer) it is important to know who and what we are. In short, each one of us is Loved, Limited, Sinful, and Good. These are four truths of our human nature.
1st Truth: You are Loved
The Denial: “God doesn’t love me.”
This Denial’s Consequences: Sadness, Anxiety, Resentment
The Truth: God created you in love and holds you in love. Jesus loves you, and Mary, angels, and saints (on earth and in heaven) love you, too.
The Fruit of Living in this Truth: Peace, Trust, Love
[Lord,] you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned. And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you? But you spare all things, because they are yours, O LORD and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things! (Wisdom 11:24-12:1)
God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:9)
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. (John 15:12)
2nd Truth: You are Limited
The Denial: “I don’t need God. I can do anything, if I just believe in myself.”
This Denial’s Consequences: Pride, Frustration, Folly
The Truth: You are, and will always be, God’s limited, finite, and dependent creature.
The Fruit of Living in this Truth: Humility, Patience, Communion
When I see the heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the stars which you arranged, what are we that you should keep us in mind, mortal man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:4-5)
If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor; if the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil. In vain is your earlier rising, your going later to rest, you who toil for the bread you eat: when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber. (Psalm 127:1-2)
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
3rd Truth: You are Sinful
The Denial: “I don’t have any real sins.”
This Denial’s Consequences: Impenitence, Corruption, Sin
The Truth: Even after baptism, concupiscence remains, inclining you to sin.
The Fruit of Living in this Truth: Contrition, Conversion, Sanctification
No one is good but God alone. (Mark 10:18)
…All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 5:8-10)
4th Truth: You are Good
The Denial: “I’m worthless.”
This Consequence: Sadness, Shame, Despair
The Truth: Your human nature remains good, despite wounds and weakness.
The Fruit of Living in this Truth: Joy, Hope, Fruitfulness
Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. … God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.” (Genesis 1:26,31)
[The Gentiles] show that the demands of the law are written in their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even defend them on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge people’s hidden works through Christ Jesus. (Romans 2:14-16)
Finally, some true and helpful things to remember about God’s attitude towards you:
- God not only loves you, He likes you, too.
- God works all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28); including every evil that befalls you and your own past sins.
- God is easily pleased, and hard to satisfy.
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