Identity
Who we are to other people, and who we are to ourselves, is what we call our identity. Too often, how people view us is not accurate. We could even say the same about ourselves.
How do we become who we are? Mainly, through three ways:
1. Genetics; who we are at birth
2. Ourselves; what we choose to do and become
3. Groups; with whom we associate and assimilate
4. God; if we let Him, God can and will change our lives for the better.
Genetics
Jeremiah 1:5 (NASB)
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
It’s true that just because God knows the future doesn’t mean He causes everything to happen. For example, He knows that people will do bad things, even though He doesn’t want them to.
God knew Jeremiah before he was born, and he knew you before you were born. You are special to Him.
Genesis 1:27 (NASB)
27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Just like a parent’s children are special to them, we are special to God. He created the whole universe, but we are the only creation made in His own image — in the image of God Himself.
God did not make a mistake when you were in your mother’s womb. He did not make a mistake when you were born. You are unique; there has never been anyone else exactly like you, and God loves you — the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly. So, why are so many people confused about who they are?
The Liar
John 8:44 (NASB)
44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Jesus said that the devil, also called Satan, is not only a liar; he is the father of lies. The devil is pure evil, and he will say anything to harm us, because that is who he is.
Greener Grass
There is an old expression: “The grass is always greener on the other side.” It seems to be human nature to think that other people have it better than we do. In some ways, that could be true; In other ways, not so much. The Apostle Paul went through a lot of suffering and persecution. If anyone had a right to envy others, he did. He didn’t focus on that, though. He said that he found the secret of contentment.
Contentment
Philippians 4:11-13 (NASB)
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Paul was saying that he had times when he was prosperous, and there were times when he suffered need. There were times when he had plenty to eat, and times when he went hungry. He learned, though, how to be content in every circumstance. In verse 13, he said, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” That doesn’t mean that he can become Superman. It does mean that he can rejoice in who he is in Christ, knowing that Jesus will provide for him and never leave him alone.
Part of the Body
We might think that we have nothing to offer others around us, or that what they have or who they are is so much better than what we have or who we are. Paul said that was not the case; we are all important in the eyes of God.
1 Corinthians 12:20-22 (NASB)
20 But now there are many members, but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;
We might think that we have nothing to offer others around us, or that what they have or who they are is so much better than what we have or who we are. Paul said that was not the case; we are all important in the eyes of God.
Our Part
Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB)
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Jesus paid the price for our sins. We can’t earn our way to heaven. At the same time, God expects us to do our part. We need to trust Him that He knows what He is doing, and He is working for our own good.
Romans 8:28 (NASB)
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Just like we saw with Paul, we need to learn how to trust God and be content with who we are and where we are. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t work to be better; of course we should. We just need to be content wherever we are, whether or not we “succeed.”
Pride
Pride can be a tricky thing. One minute, you think you are better than others. The next minute, you find out that you’re not, and your world is shattered. Jesus gave us the perfect example of humility.
Philippians 2:5-8 (NASB)
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Jesus knew Who He was. He knew that He was God. At the same time, He knew that His place was to willingly submit Himself to His Father. Sometimes, that could be very hard.
Matthew 14:35-36 (NASB)
35 And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by.
36 And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.”
If we put the needs and desires of those around us above our own (as Jesus did), we will find that place of contentment, and won’t be looking to be someone or something else. We can find happiness in our place in Jesus.
Philippians 2:3-4 (NASB)
3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Groups
1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASB)
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
Have you ever seen how people who have been married for a long time start to look more like each other? Quite often, they can even finish each other’s sentences. We influence the people around us, and they influence us. It might be for the better or for the worse. Paul warned the Corinthians and the Ephesians about that.
Ephesians 5:6-8 (NASB)
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
Another old saying is, “You are what you eat.” If the only people we associate with are bad, and the only things we hear are lies, we will start to believe them. We will probably also start to spread these same lies to others, because we now think that they are true.
We see that the opinions of other people can be false, and even our own opinions can be false. So, how can we find out what is true? What is our true identity?
What Does God Say?
Philippians 3:20-21 (NASB)
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
When we give our lives to Jesus, we are “born again.” Since I was born in the United States, I am a citizen of that country. When I was born again, I became a citizen of that eternal country. My citizenship is part of my identity.
John 15:14-15 (NASB)
14 “You are My friends if you do what I command you.
15 “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.
Jesus said that we are His friends, not His slaves, if we do what He commands us to do.
Romans 8:14-15 (NASB)
14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
If we are led by the Spirit of God, we have become sons (and daughters) of God. We are led by the Spirit of God by:
• Coming to Jesus, turning away from our sins, and asking Him to forgive us.
• Doing God’s will.
• Spending time with God every day (in prayer and worship).
Identity
God created you and loves you. You are special to Him. Focus on Him and enjoy His presence, then you won’t get confused by this world. You will know who you are in Christ: a child of God, beloved by his or her Father!
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