For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
Who are you? What’s the best way you’d answer this fundamental question? Would you say your name first, maybe followed by where you come from, what you stand for, your traits, and beliefs or you’ll just go straight to your occupation? But when all that is scrapped off what of you is left? Do you find your identity in Christ?
People’s set of values, which in turn form the foundations of their identity, are developed by the media and entertainment they consume, their geographical location, the books they read, and also their upbringing. Practically speaking, most of my college life was formed by the kind of music I was listening to. I was a fan of a particular hip-hop artist and felt like I related to his life. I communicated and reasoned as he did and it’s unfortunate that all these didn’t bring any glory to God. Then come the shift, I purposefully chose to listen to and consume entertainment that would draw me closer to Christ. That’s Christian programs like 3ABN, Amazing Facts Ministry, It Is Written, Secrets Unsealed, and Christian music channels like 3ABN Praise Him and I started forming a deeper and richer relationship with Christ and I identified comfortably as a God’s Child.
Most times in life we make the tragic mistake of finding our identity in things like our problems, diseases, career, and even what other people say about us rather than identifying with Christ and looking at His life, death, and resurrection alone. We end up being worn-out, burned-out, frustrated, and miserable. We find people identifying themselves as bipolar, divorced, accountants, and so on but is this God’s will for them? I bet not. God sees us differently. Paul, writing to the Corinthians says, ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is to say that when we identify with Christ we become renewed and are able to see the value we hold as God’s children.
When we identify with Christ we have;
- Eternal Life – And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. (1 John 2:25)
- The identity as children of God – But as many as received Him, to them He gave the ]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (John 1:12)
- Abundant life – The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
- Renewed life – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- The righteousness of God – For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- Healing – who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
- Acceptance – to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)
As we look at Christ as our perfect example we are to solely rely on His merits and guidance to go by each day. We can do all through the strength that He gives us. (Philippians 4:13). We are to avoid dwelling on past negative experiences, have a positive outlook on life, feel confident in ourselves, see our overall strengths and weaknesses, and accept them. We are to also choose the society most favorable to our spiritual advancement having in mind that bad company corrupts good morals. (1 Corinthians 15:12)
We must compare notes with our great Leader, who is the well-spring of righteousness and mercy, a pure fountain. With Him we are laborers together with God. By beholding we become changed into His likeness, for we are complete in Him.
12LtMs, Ms 4, 1897, par 14.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
