Who are you?
It’s a question our pastor asks at our kids’ program in church every Wednesday. The kids would answer enthusiastically in unison, “A child of God!”
For that is truly our identity, a child of God. The Bible is one big story about how God communicates that truth to many different people over time.
People such as: Abraham, Moses, Gideon, Noah, David, Ruth, Esther, Rahab, Sarah, Mary, Martha, Abigail, and so on. This list is incomplete because it also includes each one of us.
Yet we often forget this truth, especially when others in our lives tell us we are something else. Using our past and problems against us.
Which is exactly what the Father of Lies wants. He wants us to forget who we are now and focus on who we were. To forget Jesus wiped the slate clean, washed all that nasty stuff away.
We once were … but now are…
Once we were alienated from God and were enemies in our minds because of our evil behavior. But now he has reconciled us by Christ’s physical body through death to present us holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if we continue in our faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. Colossians 1:21-23
See the hope in these verses? We were once alienated…but now are reconciled, holy, without blemish and free from accusation! We have been set free to leave the old behind and go forward in fresh faith.
Satan accuses us of being in chains to make us feel guilty, ashamed, as if the chains are our fault and there’s no escape. He wants us to incorporate the chains into our identity, make them a part of who we are.
Yet Jesus sees us held prisoner by our chains, knows every detail of those chains, and still sets us free.
No accusations. No blame. No shame. Just a hand to take them off so we can walk free.
To leave the old, rusty, heavy chains behind in a pile and step into our freedom as children of God.
Practical application: Four Steps to Remember Your Identity
Step 1: Remind yourself who you are – a child of God.
Read: 1 Peter 1:3-9
We have a new birth, a new living hope through our faith in Jesus. He is our father, and we are His child. We have an inheritance that is coming, the salvation of our souls. Rejoice in that truth!
Where is your inheritance?
Step 2: Tear down lies.
Read: 1 Peter 2:1-3
While we’ve tasted that God is good, we also need to get rid of the lies we’ve believed. If we do not, those lies hinder our spiritual growth.
Which lies do you need to get rid of?
Step 3: Put up the truth.
Read: 1 Peter 1:13-16
When you read scripture or devotions and actively seek out spiritual material daily, you prepare your mind to hear the truth and to live out that truth.
When we first learned about Covid, the mantra: wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and social distance was placed everywhere from the radio to signs on every building or store. Until all of us internalized those guidelines. We can do the same with the truth about our identity in Christ when we read daily and learn from God’s Word every day.
Which verses are you going to post where you will see them every day?
Step 4: Live for God.
Read: 1 Peter 4:7-11.
In these verses Peter gives practical advice on how to live as a Christian. Pray, love others, offer hospitality and use your God-given gifts.
Doing these things moves you toward God. These things are not meant to be a burden, instead they are meant to bring you joy. God’s grace comes in many forms, so don’t assume there’s only one way to do something. Seek God’s joy for your life.
How are you going to use your gifts for God’s glory?
Prayer: Who are you?
Dear Lord,
As children we’ve heard or even said the phrase: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Yet we all know, even as children, that this statement is false. Deep down we know that words do impact us – for good or bad.
We listen to what others say about us and easily dismiss kind, gentle, and loving words, to focus on the negative words of loser, dumb, addict, etc.
We also listen to the perfectionist voice inside us who always says we don’t measure up, no matter what we do.
Too often we forget to listen to Your voice, to who You say we are.
- We are your children. (Romans 8:14)
- We are chosen. (1 Peter 2:9)
- We are a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- We are loved. (1 John 4:19)
- We are holy. (Ephesians 1:4)
- We are blameless. (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
- We are without fault. (Philippians 2:15)
- We are valuable. (Matthew 12:12)
- We are free. (Galatians 5:1)
Those words describe who we ARE, not who we WERE. We’ve been set free from who we were by Jesus. Our name has been changed, just like Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah.
Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram (which means exalted father); your name will be Abraham (which means father of many), for I have made you a father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:3-5)
God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations.” (Genesis 17:15-16)
Lord, you gave Abraham and Sarah many blessings. You also give us many blessings. Let us give thanks.
[Speak blessings and thanksgiving aloud or silently.]
Yet in this world there are many difficulties and circumstances too heavy for us to carry. Let us lay these at your feet.
[Share burdens aloud or silently.]
We trust all these concerns into your care.
We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that we may declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness and into his wonderful light. For once we were not a people, but now we are the people of God; once we had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
Halleluiah!
Amen.