Who Are You, Really?

Some questions have been argued in seminaries for centuries. Others just feel personal. In this episode of the Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, Candace and pastor Francis Chan sit with both. The conversation opens with listener questions on free will and prayer, and Francis does something refreshing: he admits what he doesn't know, and explains why that's actually a gift. From there the episode moves into something close to Francis's heart right now: identity. Not the kind built on reputation or accomplishment, but the one that holds when everything else falls apart. Francis talks about the disciple John, who called himself "the one Jesus loved," and why that used to seem odd to him. Now he sees it differently. John wasn't being arrogant. He was living by faith. One of the most striking moments is a story Francis shares about a seminary friend who spent decades trying to earn God's love through sheer effort and discipline. He ended up in the hospital. His body gave out. It was only when he finally stopped performing that something broke open. Francis connects that story to a trap a lot of believers fall into without ever naming it out loud: a good week quietly feels like it earns more love, and a bad week creates distance. The episode closes with Francis walking through the full gospel. Not a summary. The whole thing. And it lands exactly the way it should. What's Inside 0:00 Opening and sponsors 3:10 Welcome to Episode 3 5:45 Listener question from Lacey: free will and a story written before you were born 8:20 Listener question from Michelle: if God gave us free will, why do we pray? 11:00 Why some questions belong in mystery, not on a chalkboard 16:30 How a right view of God changes how you see yourself 20:45 John called himself the beloved disciple, and Francis used to think that was strange 25:00 What it looks like when performance replaces identity 30:15 The story of a seminary friend who worked until his body shut down 36:40 The prodigal son and the father who runs 39:50 Francis shares the gospel 44:30 Closing words and resources #candacecameronbure #francischan #crazylove #candacecameronburepodcast #candacecameron #candace #podcast #christianpodcast #faith #identity #identityinchrist #belovedofgod #godsloveforyou #lovedbyGod #freewill #predestination #prayer #sovereignty #gospel #thegospel #truegospel #grace #mercy #salvation #christianliving #faithandidentity #livingbyfaith #spiritualgrowth #biblebasedliving #scriptureandfaith #newcreature #inchrist #belovedinhim #restonGod #faithoverfear #godslove #embracinggrace #findingidentity #whoiam #whoGodis #faithpodcast #christianwomen #womenfaith #podcasting Sponsors: Van Man is committed to old-school formulas with no fillers and no corporate nonsense. Their grass-fed tallow balm works as a lotion, night cream, and diaper cream in one. Visit vanman.shop/bure and use code bure for 15% off your first order. Candace is honored to partner with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.To learn more and find out how you can help, visit ifcj.org. Grand Canyon University is an affordable, private, non-profit Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona. With academically rigorous, career-ready programs grounded in Christian truth, GCU is committed to raising up the next generation to lead with integrity and serve with purpose. Find your purpose at gcu.edu. If you or someone you know has OCD, NOCD is the world's leading OCD treatment provider, with therapists specially trained to understand the many ways OCD can show up. Through live virtual ERP therapy sessions and ongoing support through the NOCD app, they help people get back to living the life they want. They accept most major insurance plans. Visit nocd.com to book a free call. Candace uses products from Nuethix all the time: INCLUDE LINK Use code Candace for a discount. Each season of The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast features one guest for a deep exploration of a single theme, encouraging viewers to grow in their experiences of faith, family and purposeful living. --- Best known as ‘D.J Tanner’ in the hit television series “Full House” and Netflix’s “Fuller House,” and as the actor and director who takes over your television around Christmas time.  Candace is also a New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, and CEO of CandyRock Entertainment. Candace has been interviewed many times over her decades on television, and in her podcast she hosts deep conversations with experts. Keep up with Candace: Candace's Website: https://candacecbure.com/ The Podcast Website: https://ccbpodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candacecbure/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candacecameron TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@candacecameronb Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/candacecbure/