Proverbs
1:8-9 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and
forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your
head and pendants for your neck.
What is the
common element among the following: rock band groupies, urban gangs, church
denominations, school clubs, Democrats, football fans, black leather jackets,
and Republicans? They all have to do with identity. We humans want to be
identified with something or someone. From the time when we were young children
we have learned to think in terms of our names, our parents and our schools as
those things which help shape our identity. They define and classify us in
life.
Identity is
important to us, so important that we will even submit ourselves to negative or
criminal behavior to “be somebody”. Identity is central to our life work and
calling. The problem we face with identity as Christians is that the culture
around us influences how we define ourselves.
Identity is
not something that comes from within us. It is something that is given. Adam
was given his identity by God, his Creator. Adam was formed by God and told by
Him what he would do with his life. God did not place Adam or Eve in the Garden
of Eden telling them to search deep within yourself to find who you are. God
communicated with them and said that they were made for a purpose. Their
purpose was determined by God.
The image of God in man is central to our
identity. Christ in us, as Christians, is the new image we display. The Holy
Spirit works in us to help us understand and exhibit our new identity in
Christ. More and more as we obediently and faithfully follow Christ’s teaching
we become more Christ-like. This is our true identity as humans, as Christians.
In Jesus, the old has gone and the new has arisen.
