Identity

Merriam Webster definition:  n. "the distinguishing character or personality of an individual"

JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

Have you ever asked that of someone?  Has that ever been asked of you?  Usually such a question is posed with tone and accusation, immediately putting us on the defensive.  But if the accusing tone were removed, along with the belittling just, what would your response be then?  Genuinely, who do you think you are?

In the Gospels, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  (Notice how he phrases the question.  Jesus is clear about his identity but is inquiring what others are saying.)  They reply with various answers but it’s Peter who boldly declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus replies, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”  This is profound because Peter didn’t think up the answer on his own.  God revealed it to him and he spoke it aloud.  Not only does Jesus affirm the truth of Peter’s words, he goes on to reveal Peter’s true identity.  “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”  Can you imagine how Peter felt when Jesus affirmed his new identity?  Imagine similarly, how each disciple must have felt when Jesus turned to him, looked him square in the eye and said, “Follow me.”  “Who me?  You want me to follow you?”  Imagine the burning in their hearts when they heard Jesus invite them to join him.

We can search for our value in the career we have or the success we attain, where we live or the people in our lives.  We can search for our identity in what we do, what we know or whom we influence.  Though all of these things have importance, none can compare to knowing Whose we are.  When Jesus calls us by name and asks us to follow Him, our response will determine our destiny.  When we respond with “Yes Lord,” it’s a game-changer.  He gives us a new name and our life’s purpose shifts from living for ourselves to living for His glory.

For whom are you living?  From where do you derive your identity?  Whose are you?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 
2 Corinthians 5:17

See what great love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God! 
And that is what we are! 
1 John 3:1

We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do. 
Ephesians 2:10

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To read more of Cathy's writing, go to her website at cathyfortleyland.com