Identity Check

Who are you? If your answer is based on your name, your upbringing, your achievements, your family history, your hopes, your disappointments, etc. then you’re a victim of identity theft if you are a follower of Jesus. You’ve allowed your true identity to be stolen and replaced by a lesser identity. 

Note that Paul while acknowledging the role of his past experiences (both positive and negative) as shaping him, points to his position in Christ as that which truly defines him (Philippians 3:1-16). So powerful is this Christ-centered definition of himself that he incredibly considers all that once gave him pride as ‘rubbish’ only to be discarded!—“Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ” (Philippians 3:8).

As you go through your day make sure you have the right identity in mind. You aren’t who you were so let God define the new you. How? Here are a few steps that will assist you in this discovery:

1. Spend time reading Bible passages that describe the identity of Christians—Ephesians 1; Colossians 3; and other passages you can discover as you read through the Bible.
2. Memorize a statement of who you are in Christ that counters your feelings or experiences.
3. Identify a godly encourager who you can call on to remind you of how God sees you.

“Father, help we your children to realize how common identity theft is among our brothers and sisters, and even in our own lives. Then give us the strength to live in our true identity each moment of this day.”