The Self-Portrait
(John 3:1~18)

A self-portrait is a portrait that is drawn of oneself. There are outer self-portraits as well as inner self-portraits. Outer self-portraits are reflected in the mirror, and inner self-portraits are inner beings. All people live by having outer and inner self-portraits. Our life changes depending on what kind of self-portraits we have. We must know that inner self-portraits greatly influence our life.

1. The self-portrait and the attitude of life
1) Our attitudes of life change depending on what kind of self-portraits we have. (Prov. 23:7)
2) Inner self-portraits are invisible. Invisible inner self-portraits work behind our life. (Ex. 3:10~11)

2. The fourth dimensional spiritual world
1) Jesus taught about the fourth dimensional spiritual world that is invisible. He said, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” He said we must be born of the Holy Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:6)
2) The Holy Spirit is the spirit of the fourth dimension. The fourth dimensional world governs the third dimensional world. Those who belong in the third dimensional world cannot know about what the Holy Spirit does. (John 3:3~4)

3. The new creation
1) 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” We have become new creations by believing in Jesus and being born of the Holy Spirit. (2 Cor. 5:17)
2) God said, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” This is our new self-portrait. (1 Peter 2:9)

Conclusion
People who are in Christ are new creations. We have become new creations by believing in Jesus and being born of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we need to live by having a new self-portrait. We who are receiving God’s love must always look to Jesus and resemble Him.