Who are you? Finding our identity is a challenge that requires wisdom and insight. The world offers an infinite array of choices and opportunities to become who you really are. Everywhere we turn, schools, doctors, and various professionals offer to assist individuals seeking to become their true self. No wonder people are confused.
Identity is no longer a simple matter of what you want to be when you grow up, or whether or not to stay on your current career path. Watching the news would have us believe we don’t even have to remain who we were at birth. But the whole idea of “my body, my choice” is nothing new, and God says something very different from what the world tells us.
Who Are You? Finding Our Identity in a Confusing World
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8) This a profound statement challenges believers to beware of evil forces that will seek to woo them away from Jesus Christ. The battle for the lives and identities of our children and ourselves is very real and the stakes are the difference between eternal life with Christ and eternal damnation. It’s as simple as that.
The Bible doesn’t mention many current topics about identity. Therefore, people suggest current circumstances didn’t exist at the time scripture was being written. When someone chooses a path scripture condemns, they call the Bible outdated or misinterpreted. However, addressing a matter in general, rather than specific terms, doesn’t mean scripture is silent. Reading scripture as a united whole, Old Testament and New, God’s attitude toward any matter will come clear. Not liking what scripture says is another matter altogether.
Who are you? Finding our identity is simple for those who believe in the God of the Bible. We are
children of God. Psalm 139 offers the imagery of God, himself, knitting the newly conceived child in the womb, seeing the unformed parts of the developing infant, and ordaining all the days of a life before that life even begins. What amazing affirmations of plan and purpose, of individual destiny, and certainty that no life is an accident. Aside from the obvious applications against abortion, these scriptures speak to the topic of individual identity.
Who Are You? Finding Our Identity as Children of God
The Bible spells out who we are, as individuals, Christian or non-Christian. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.” The last verse of Genesis 1 shows God’s summation of his creation: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good …” Who are we? First, we are creations of God, either male or female.
After the Fall, in Genesis 3, man’s sin separated him from God, but not without the promise of a Redeemer who would offer the opportunity to become right with God. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” (John 3:36) Thus, identity is not only male and female, but also sinner and redeemed.
The New Testament tells us. John 1:12-13 reads, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” We are male or female. If redeemed, we are children of God.
Who Are You? Finding Our Identity with Purpose
Who are you? Finding our identity also involves purpose. As children of God, he has prepared each person for a specific purpose. Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us to “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Our true purpose is simple.
With the decision to accept the atonement of Jesus Christ for our sins, we become something entirely new, sanctified and set apart. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) And with that new life comes eternal life and eternal purpose. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We are male and female children of God, redeemed for a purpose planned long before we were born!
Who Are You? Finding Our Identity in Nonconformity
The believer is to be subject to Jesus Christ in all things. How could we do less than offer ourselves to the service of the One who saved us from eternal punishment. Submission is the only way for a believer in Jesus Christ to discover God’s specific plan and purpose for any individual life. Romans 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
To fulfill God’s purpose, the believer must refuse to conform to this world. Nonconformity is a critical decision that believers must make again and again in order to stay on course. This can only happen by gaining deep knowledge of and insight into the word of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 says, “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.”
God’s Handbook
The Bible is not just an old book with recorded teachings and sayings. It is a complete handbook for followers of Christ, and instruction about how to fulfill our purpose of honoring God. Scripture instructs us about salvation, life, and service. What to expect in this life and after death. How to know and respond to the God of the universe. Paul wrote to Timothy that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Christians are to live above our human nature. For we possess within us the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Paul prays for the Ephesians, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead …” (Ephesians 1:18-20)
Who Are You? No Longer a Slave
Who are you? Finding our identity can tempt us to follow the thinking of the world. Satan is very real, and so are the struggles he puts us through. However, Paul warned believers not give in to temptation. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) Did you see that? We don’t have to do it on our own. God has provided the Holy Spirit, in part, to help us avoid sin.
Christians should not be captive to the wiles and temptations of the enemy, Satan. Romans 6:6,7 says, “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” Did you get that? We. Are. No. Longer. Slaves. To. Sin.
Finding New Identity
If someone claims “Christian” as their identity, they already have victory over sin. They live like their sin has been vanquished. “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)
So, who are you? Christian men and woman forgiven and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, victorious through Christ over sin and death, awaiting the joyous day of his return that we might live with him eternally, declaring the praises of our Redeemer, Jesus, who set us free!
Don’t fall for Satan’s lies. Look to Jesus for the answers not only to who and what you are, but how to be what he wants you to be.
Norma, this is such a well written piece on identity. Thank you! I’ve shared it and hope others find it and benefit from these truths.
I don’t think there is a more crucial issue than identity for a Christian. This is the first place the enemy attacks. Thanks for an excellent reminder.
A much needed discussion and so well presented – thank you.