Key Text: Philippians 3:1-10
Everything listed here was an identity marker for Paul. If you asked him, ‘Who are you?’ these would have been part of his answer. Yet, we see in v.7, he now counts this ‘identity’ as loss/rubbish. His identity is now found in Christ. This is what he says in Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
When we meet people who are little disconnected, sad, insecure or antagonistic, it probably comes down to answering one question: ‘Who am I?’ We all sometimes struggle with our identity. As well as asking ‘Who am I? – What makes me special or unique? What value do I bring? Do I have any influence? What was I made for? These are big questions that people will often try to answer in culture, through other people’s opinions of them and through the people they compare themselves with, which will sometimes leave them feeling unworthy or more unsure.
Identity crisis is the disruption of our view of self
In the quest to answer these big questions, people strive to become good at something or valuable to someone in their search for meaning. But finding worth in an activity or a person is dangerous. because any identity that is achieved rather than received will always be dependent on how you compare yourself against others. Our identity is not found in who we are but in whose we are.
It’s an illusion to say that our identity comes from our inner feelings. People say it all the time ‘this is who I am.’ You decide who you are. When we make anything our identity, career, ability, our body, relationship, wealth, education, position. Those things very quickly stop being good and begin to crush us because we make the quality of that thing the measure of our worth.
We cannot take ourselves, bless ourselves and name ourselves. We need recognition, we need someone from the outside to come in and speak to you. The kind of person we need is the love, approval and esteem from someone that we esteem, if we are going to have any self-esteem. This person can’t be anyone who is going to let you down, abandon or disillusion you. It also can’t be someone who is fickle, up and down with you depending on how you preform.
To know that God loves us, the Lord of the universe loves us. Should surely give us the most powerful basis possible for a stable identity. Why? because it’s not based on our performance or our own flawed thinking.
Ephesians 1:5 He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, citizens of God’s kingdom
Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,
New identity 1 Peter 2:9-10– But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light. Once you were not a people but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy.
We are united in Christ Romans 6:3-5 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
But Jesus does not name us by just showing up and giving us a new name and saying that you’re mine but He dies for us. When we accept what Jesus has done for us, we are completely forgiven. From His perspective, we are without sin. It’s not that you won’t sin but when He looks at us, He calls us forgiven. That is something on which you can build your identity.
The Bible emphasises believers’ identity in Christ as a central theme. The N.T, in the writings of the apostles Paul and Peter, underscores that those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour are transformed and redefined by their relationship with Him.
SWhen we begin a relationship with Jesus it’s then we can start to see ourselves the way God sees us as a child of God. Then we can start to realise that our identity is not found in who we are but in whose we are. Our relationship in Christ is the source of our strength, security and purpose. Christians are called to find their identity in Christ, recognising that our worth and significance come from our relationship with Him rather than worldly standards.
That truth is critical for us to know. The power of Holy Spirit within us is actually stronger than the voices of others.
Some of us have had negative labels placed on us by peers, friends, teachers, role models and maybe even inadvertently our parents. Whether through direct comments or the way you have been treated, ‘hear’ that you’re not good enough. Over time, these labels shape our personal identity and confidence in who we are. As adults, when we see our children feeling insecure, hurt, unsure of themselves, or disconnected, we want to step in and tell them how wonderful they are. We want to assure them that they are loved and valuable. We want to encourage them with authentic compliments and point out all the best and good things about them. And we should do that. We are the greatest influence in our kid’s lives. Our words matter.
However, as hard as it sounds, how we view ourselves and our worth has to be bigger and greater than anything someone else might tell us.
We are more than the world tells us. Ephesians 3:2 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
So what else can we do? when we are struggling with identity.
Look to God as the Definitive Source of truth, You don’t have to take anyone’s word for it. Actually, God wants you to find out for yourself by reading His Word. It is so important that you go to the Bible to find out how He feels about us. Our identity should never be based on a hope or a guess. God gave us His Word the Bible, so we can know Him and know who He is making us to be in Him.
Dwell. It is so important as believers that we surround ourselves with other Christ followers.Tell. Verbalising truth about ourselves and sharing own story helps us solidify our Christ-centred identity in their hearts. Using all of the gifts God has given us, in a way that honours Him “tells” the story of Jesus in our lives as well.
To be able to understand our identity as a disciple of Christ, we need to understand how He sees us. It’s tempting to build our identity on what we accomplish, this is not a stable foundation. Our true identity is ultimately not found in who we are but in whose we are and what He says about us.
Loved, Chosen, Forgiven, Redeemed and Adopted.
These are the pillars of our new identity in Christ Jesus.
What could be when we learn to live in our Christ identity?