Read 2 Corinthians 5:16 

Paul says: "From now on we regard no one according to the flesh." 

The Gate introduces a completely new way of seeing. 

Important Distinctions 

Experience: I experienced rejection. 

Wound: I carry wounds from rejection. 

Identity Label: I am rejected. 

The first two describe what happened. 

The third describes who someone is. 

The father acknowledges what happened to the son. He refuses to let it become his identity. 

Reflection 

How often do we describe ourselves as: 

• rejected
 

• broken
 

• damaged
 

• addicted
 

• divorced
 

• failures
 

rather than describing experiences we have lived through?