Dallas Willard

People view death to self as if it means getting rid of yourself. This is not at all what it involves. You are not put here on Earth to get rid of yourself. You were put here to be a self, and to live fullly as a self. The worth of your self – your self- is inestimable, and God’s intent for you is that you become a fully-realized self as you make the grace-fueled movement from the old self to the new.

Tom Crandall

As we embrace our identity, we will no longer be tossed to and fro by the culture we were actually called to transform. Knowing who we are is the foundation of everything we do! We are saved because we believe in Jesus, but we are free when we believe like Jesus. By renewing our minds to align with the truths of God’s thoughts for us, we will be fully equipped to transform our realms of influence and bring about change for His glory. ⁠

Steven Furtick

What event happened just before Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness? He was baptized in the affirmation of His Father in the Jordan River. The last event before Jesus’s first showdown with Satan was the remarkable scene we studied in the last chapter—when the voice of God pronounced the words that have always been and would always be true about the Father’s affection for and acceptance of Jesus: This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17) It was as if the Father was preparing Him for the temptation He was about to face. So not only did Jesus know what was true: It is written. He also knew it was true for Him: I am the Son of God.

John Piper

Long looking with admiration produces change. From your heroes you pick up mannerisms and phrases and tones of voice and facial expressions and habits and demeanors and convictions and beliefs. The more admirable the hero is and the more intense your admiration is, the more profound will be your transformation. In the case of Jesus, he is infinitely admirable, and our admiration rises to the most absolute worship. Therefore, when we behold him as we should, the change is profound.