When you are asked the question: Who are you? – how would you respond?
We live in a world where people’s identities-our own identities are often malformed, skewed.
People often take their professions and avocations as who they are, when these things are actually just what they do.
If identity is related to profession, finances, what is left when there are shakings and these things are stripped away?
The apostle Paul was of high birth and status, had a great job as a Gamaliel-schooled rabbi/Torah giant, and was highly respected …he clearly had been one who identified himself through these things, and but read here what he wrote when he “got it”:
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:8 NIV).
True identity is passed down by the spirit of adoption and sonship-given by God our Father.
I have written this post not as an indictment against anyone,
but rather because I am traveling down this road myself and even now have not gotten to the end of it.
Our identities are meant to be wrapped up in knowing, really knowing Yeshua.
In Him alone can we find Light and Life, and ultimately our true identity.
My goal is singular: To be apprehended by Jesus, to remain focused on knowing Him alone.
I am focusing on the great truth that His worth surpasses everything else, but it’s not always that easy.
Nonetheless, my hope, my peace, my joy and content-my everything-can only be found in Him alone.
The demolition of the old “man” and the transformation that life as followers of Jesus brings will continue until last moment on earth.
Ruth Bell Graham’s gravestone reads:”End of construction…thank you for your patience!”
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12, 13 NIV)