Everywhere I turn the topic of identity seems to be discussed. Whether it’s being said in correlation to figuring out one’s purpose or who they are; it’s an answer we’ve all been/are in search of. Identity has also been an ongoing subject in several of my therapy sessions. We’re all trying to figure out life and pose questions like “who am I”, “why am I here” and “what is my purpose.” This is something I personally have been talking to God about as well. You see, I know why I’m here, I know my purpose, and I know the meaning of my life; HOWEVER, I’ve still been talking about the weight of the answer to these questions with God and they all lead to one road:
Identity is that which binds together (i.e., a bond). To a believer, that bond is with God. We can’t have identity without God……
Okay, I’m sure I didn’t just change your life with that last sentence or give you some deep revelation lol. This is probably something you already know and have heard tons of sermons about time and time again. What you may have questioned is the how. How do you get to the point of becoming bonded to Christ so much so that your identity is fully in Him? Well, to find that answer, let’s take a look at an experience John the Baptist had in John 1:6 NLT.
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
Let’s stop here for a second because we need to acknowledge a few things John’s life highlighted for us. First, we are all called to tell the world about Jesus Christ. This assignment is not just for preachers and pastors. No Sis, you too have been called to tell people about Jesus; someone somewhere told you about Christ. Yes, it may have been someone preaching in a pulpit but there are so many people who heard of Christ on their jobs, in the grocery store, on a plane, and other unique places and situations. Even John wasn’t found preaching in a traditional setting. Your identity is tied to telling people about the One who created you.
John’s life also reminds us of is that his path was set by God. He was given a unique assignment and his life was evident of that. You wanna know something cool? We are no different than John. Just like him, God fashioned us with purpose, with an assignment, and with a direction to carry out over our lives. And before you say it, I will…I understand you are not John. You may not be called to preach in the wilderness and baptize people, BUT you are called to tell people about God. How you do that is something we’ll revisit later. The point is, your identity was and always will be tied, bonded, and connected in Christ and this is something that was determined before you ever entered this world.
15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”
Pause right there … John was so on his job and in his purpose that he was intimately familiar with who Jesus was before he physically met him. This reminds us that we MUST get to know God intimately in order to reflect His identity in our lives. It doesn’t start with you figuring yourself out by examining your own talents and gifts, it starts by knowing the Father and who He is. I think so many of us get caught up in trying to figure out our spiritual giftings that we get the process backwards. We have to first seek out and get to know the character of Christ who will in turn reveal the beauty He created in us. He identified you first Sis, why are you relying more on yourself to figure out your identity than seeking God for it?
19 This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” 20 He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”
Hold it! Let’s stop here too, Sis. Shout-out to John for not only knowing who he was but also knowing who he WASN’T. This is so important. Listen, we all have been ascribed different titles and adjectives in this life. Without knowing the facts (scripture) of who God says you are it can become quite easy to take on the titles this world will most definitely give you. The funny thing is, we must be aware of the negative things we are not but also those positive things, which have nothing to do with who we are, that may stroke our egos. For example, how cool was it for John to be mistaken for the Son of God, right? Wrong! Honey, you are good and fabulous but you are NOT God. It’s important to be mindful of what you are not no matter what connotation that title comes with. Remember, the devil messed around and thought he was high and mighty too, you see where that got him. Identity in Christ comes with humility in acknowledging that God gave it to you, you did not obtain it on your own.
22 “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:
“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’
24 Then the Pharisees who had been sent 25 asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”
Come on! Listen! Brother John didn’t skip a beat! Because he was clear on his assignment, knew who he was, and undoubtedly knew who Jesus was he was able to state all the things above. Isn’t it interesting how even though John irrefutably stated who he wasn’t the Jewish leaders still pressed on? Sis, sometimes a simple answer won’t turn away the naysayers (or the devil). They will keep questioning to see if you are certain of who you are and what your assignment truly is. John was so assured of himself that he elaborated, gave details, and most importantly pointed them back to God. He didn’t go back and forth until he was blue in the face but, he was stern, sure of himself, and gave glory to God all in the same breath. We must be unswayed of our identity in Christ because the world will try ALL of your patience and make every attempt to convince you otherwise.
26 John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. 27 Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”
John’s identity was in direct correlation and partnership with Jesus. You may be saying, “Rudi, my role as a receptionist is nowhere near as important as baptizing people and preparing the way for Christ.” Sis, let’s take your eyes off what you believe you are able to do and place them on Who has equipped you, solely because you belong to Him. Yes, John had an incredible “job” that we’re still talking about 2000 years later but remember he was identified FIRST before he was even born. Without his identity rooted in Christ there is no way John could’ve accomplished all the things we read about. It was a knowing that he belonged and was a reflection of Christ that equipped him to carry out such a great mission. Let’s not focus on our abilities, shortcomings, traits, gifts, etc. before we acknowledge the facts …your identity was set the moment God allowed you to enter this world and it was confirmed when you willingly said yes to salvation.
John shows us so many things through his actions. One thing we don’t talk about is how his great acts had to first come from a knowing and so does yours, Sis. Let’s be honest, you may want to find identity in doing great work or being known for some amazing gift; maybe you’d like to be known and identified by some gorgeous physical feature or your reputation for having a beautiful home, great kids, or a dynamic husband. Those are all cute and fine but none, yes none, will ever give you the kind of constant and on-going awareness of who you were created to be when God formed you. This statement alone is the all-encompassing definition of your identity. Anything other than that will fade away and never satisfy your questions about identity. After all, Genesis 1:27 says:
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
This is all the confirmation you need to know that you were created and identified in God alone. Let that sink in and saturate your spirit. It is a grand thing to know and constantly be in remembrance of. Now go live according to that fact!