Identity / Part 1

As a new believer or just beginning to desire following after Jesus, have you wondered about your identity?

You see, we have many identities in our world today. Our Drivers License, Passport, Voter Card, Social Security, Bank Information, Vehicle Insurance, and even our Phones. They all tell a story of our lives and share a unique connection to us personally. However, did you know that you have an identity outside of those earthy IDs? Yes, you have the identity of Jesus Christ within your heart and it is written in His Holy Word.

Over the next several weeks, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, unless otherwise changed, we will be diving deep into our identity in Christ through the Scriptures as how He sees us.

Definition of Identity

Identity, in the Biblical context, refers to one who views themselves in relation to God, other individuals, or the world. To encompass one's sense of self value, purpose, and belonging, they must understand that it is truly rooted in the Divine image and calling of an individual. Scripture points to identity, from the origin of who you are, what transformation takes place when you are connected with God, to your calling and fulfillment through Christ.

In language, it is the word we use to reference when, where, and who. In relationships, it is what we use to interact with another person so they can identify who we are as an individual. In Scripture, it is when God creates something. I want to welcome you to the unique and complicated mystery of you. Do not worry though, each one of us is on a very unique journey as new believers. Some of you might be thinking, 'how can a super natural being like God and His Son Jesus love me despite my upbringing, who I am, what I've become'? Well it is very simple. Jesus loves you!

I want you to think of this example of a moment, yet we do this everyday. You wake up in the morning, stretch, and you walk to the bathroom. What do you do? You look in the mirror. Who do you see? You see yourself! Yikes, not a very good picture right? Some of us think little of ourselves and look awful. Some of us can be completely be model worthy, yet we still find something wrong with ourselves. If you were willing to talk with yourself about yourself, what would you say? Name, race, gender, height, address possibly, financial situation, type of job, your political view, religious upbringing, family background, your types of skills, hobbies, unique characteristics? The list goes on and on. Would the real you expose dark secrets, your fears, deep layers within the darkest places only you go to and no one else can access? Most of us would not do so because it is too scary a place. Believe me, I've been there.

In order to find out how you can really know yourself, you must know you are loved. Yet, that is you knowing you're loved. That can be here or there. However, the truth is you must truly BELIEVE you are loved by God.

The Psalmist David wrote in Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting"! (ESV, English Standard Version)

The Beginning

The first mention of identity in Scripture is found in Genesis 1:27. "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them". (NIV, New International Version) What does this mean? The Scripture above is the main foundational truth of where our human identity came from, which was from God who is divine where He placed dignity, value, and purpose within every single individual that has ever been created since Adam.

Adam was made in the likeness and image of God Himself. Why? It was because God was Holy, Righteous, and Dignified to give to Adam which was him being made perfect. Imagine, you were made in Gods image. You still are when you are born, but the fallacy is because of our fall in the Garden through disobedience, we are tainted. However, God STILL sees us as His perfect, beautiful, loving children as He did Adam in the Garden, despite our flaws.

The Source Of Your Identity

When considering God, did you know He created you? You need to understand that because God created you, He lives inside you. You though, have free will. So you can either live your own life how you desire and still be eternally separated from God or you can look deep within and see that God is your ultimate creator as to why you are the way you are.

To think that you and I have access to the supreme righteous God in Heaven who created us from the dust of the earth where He formed Adam, but despite Adam's disobedience He still wanted to create us, wow!

Now you have to know why we are going over your identity in Christ. We are going to go through this over the next several weeks because it is crucial to know that out of anything else in the world, Jesus is the answer to your life.

We saw the definition of identify, the beginning, and the main source of your identity. Next week, we will dive deeper into Jesus and why He is our ultimate source to our identity and how. Also, we will dive into the fall in Genesis 3 and how your identity was distorted.

Until we meet again.

~ Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!