Identity CRISIS V/S Identity IN CHRIST

What is Identity? We know it as something that defines a person. It may be the person's name, family name, looks, position of status, even his money and possessions. We all have an identity in this world. It makes us feel valued, seen, loved, admired and secure. Yet, is it really our true identity? Does it really makes us secure? What is the identity that gives us complete security?

Let us look at the story of Joseph:

Genesis - 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 

v. 18 -They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. 

v 23 - So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore.  

The robe that Jacob gave to Joseph made him confident in the world. But his brothers hated it, they stripped him of the robe and sold him into slavery. Yet, the anointing that God had placed on him could not be removed. That eventually led him to become the Prime Minister of Egypt.

When the blood of Jesus coves you, Satan will hate you. But, unlike the identity that is given by the world that can be destroyed, the anointing of God cannot be removed from you.

The identity that the world gives

We all have an identity in the world. The foundation of this identity are the things of the world like looks, money, friends, position, degrees etc. Generally speaking, there are two types of identity that people could posses 

1) A weak identity - Weak identity arises out of a feeling of lack. Such people try to gain things of the world (gadgets, fair skin, looks, positions, money etc.) so that they can feel accepted and loved and hope to develop a strong identity. 

2) People with strong identities take pride in what they posses in the world. However when they come across people that posses more than them, they crave for more. 

3) In either case, when we place our identify in the things of the world, it is like chasing after the wind. The identity of the world never satisfies. It is never enough.

Identity from God?

Matthew 3:17 - "and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’" 

Matthew 17: 5 - While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 

In both instances, when God called his son 'beloved', he had not yet accomplished God's plan. At His baptism Jesus had not started his Ministry yet, and did not have a single disciple. Also, at the time of His transfiguration He had not yet been crucified. God simply delighted in Him.

The heart of the Father is like that of the one when the prodigal son returns: Luke 15:24 "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found" 

The identity from God is not because we accomplish something for God. But because God calls us his son/daughter. The robe that God gives - the covering that he puts over us - is our true Identity. Simply because we are His children and nothing else. God gives us a strong true identity.

What does the true identity give you?

Ture Identity from God will give us three things

Confidence - True identity gives us security. Just like the robe of Joseph made him feel confident about himself, having a true identity makes us feel secure in God. We don't feel lack or pride of the things of the world. They do not define our Identity. 

Purpose - A pilot in a uniform has a different facilities, security checks and access to the plane. Unlike the passengers, the pilot has a purpose - to fly the plane. In the same way when we are in Christ's Identity, we want to live for him because he loves us so much. We have a purpose to work for his kingdom. 

Freedom - We have nothing to fear in the world because we are dead to the world. We don't need anything that the world can give, nor do we care of what people think about you. Even if the world ties to shut us down, removes our money, possessions, authority etc. it does not affect us. 

Joseph went through pain and loss in the world - he was sold, went to jail and rose to a position of authority. So did Jesus. On the cross they removed his clothes and killed his body, but he rose again in three days. Whatever the devil tries against us God ultimately gives us victory.

Finally, the robe is not of pride, but of humility. Let us humbly accept the covering of God over us.

Fuel up in the mountains for the time in the valleys

Luke 9:28-32 

At the transfiguration of Jesus, Peter James and John are overcome by sleep.

We all go through good and difficult seasons in the world. That is normal.

But, when we are going through good seasons we tend to relax. We don't spend time reading the word and praying. Hence, when the difficult times come we feel weak. Peaceful times are for us to fuel up. Let us study the word and spend time in prayer to strengthen ourselves.

John 9:4 : We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.  

Proverbs tells us to learn from the ants. Ants are gathering food during the good season for the cold months.

Other important points

I would rather have a big heart for Jesus than a big ministry. - Paul Washer

Do they love you for you or your position, brands you wear, money. Or do they love you.

I am doing the work of the kingdom because He loves me. I am not doing it because I want Him to love me, but because He loves me. 

Devil is scared of only one identity - the one of Jesus

Grace is only for taking you to heaven. 

Matthew 5: 17 - 17“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill." 

Hence Moses (the law) and Elijah (the Prophet) during the transfiguration.

Isaiah 62: 1-4 (ESV) Replace Zion/Jerusalem with your name to know the love Father has for you 

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married.