We must continue to find our identity in what God's Word says to us. If we look to our performance to define us, then we will begin to identify as a success or failure based on arbitrary standards.

Joshua Dostal teaches on the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-31). Like the younger son, the pursuit of sin ultimately leads to a self-worth based on failure. We believe the lie that we are failures and that we are no longer children of God. Like the older son, the pursuit of hard work can lead to a self-worth based on obedience and servanthood. Both mindsets are wrong because we are not grounded in our identity as sons and daughters of God!

Joshua Dostal teaches on John 19. Because of the joy set before Him, Jesus thought nothing of the beating, ridicule, and mocking of the soldiers and people. He was not shamed by it because He knew what it would accomplish: that we might be redeemed to God.