Understanding Christian Identity
We live in a world screaming for identity.
In a society more connected by social media than ever before, people feel less seen, less heard, and less loved.
My personal belief is that it's because identity-driven statements and observations today are external statements trying to represent internal battles. Without an internal compass to help guide you, it's easy to get off track.
Our world has lost its core identity of being created by God. The one true God. The Genesis 1:27 God who says, "So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them." New Living Translation
And until we anchor ourselves into that abiding truth, we never discover peace, or rest, or harmony in a world screaming to be heard.
However, beyond created human identity, Christians live in relationship. Yahweh, the Most High God, did not simply create us. But through the work of Jesus, He births us into the family of God. We are now sons and daughters, kings and priests, ambassadors, fellow workers, joint heirs, on and on and on.
John 17:20-26 (NLT) tells us: “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one—as You are in Me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe You sent me.
“I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me. Father, I want these whom You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they can see all the glory You gave Me because You loved Me even before the world began!
“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know You, but I do; and these disciples know You sent Me. I have revealed You to them, and I will continue to do so. Then Your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
The Struggle with Self-Worth in Today's World
For generations, a person's worth was based on what they did. And so we fought to discover our worth outside of a job title, a degree, or marriage status.
Yet, as often happens, the pendulum took a great swing to the furthest side of the spectrum, to where now, self-worth is determined by feelings. People run to-and-fro looking for others who have the same feelings. Yet, feelings aren't easily identifiable. And so, it is easy for people to offend or dismiss others. When I FEEL worthy, I AM worthy.
As a result, self-worth founded on opinion is fleeting, like sizzling raindrops on the blazing hot summer sidewalk. To further complicate matters, if I don't have the same feelings you do, I offend, without even knowing what I've done. People feel unseen, unheard, and misunderstood more than they have in generations. Depression rates are consequently higher than ever, and continuing to rise. A Gallup poll from May 2023 states:
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The percentage of U.S. adults who report having been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime has reached 29.0%, nearly 10 percentage points higher than in 2015. The percentage of Americans who currently have or are being treated for depression has also increased, to 17.8%, up about seven points over the same period. Both rates are the highest recorded by Gallup since it began measuring depression using the current form of data collection in 2015.
If self-worth and identity are based on how others see me, and I don't feel seen, then my self-worth plummets. In fact, if self-worth is only based on external factors, we always strive to feel worthy and loved and seen. With devastating results.
It is important for us to learn the lessons from Jesus in John 2. Jesus began performing miracles; crowds started growing. Verses 23-25 (NKJV) give us insight into how Jesus gauged the fickle feelings of people: "Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man."
And He wasn't wrong.
Jesus entered Jerusalem the last week of His earthly life as the hero of the people. They cried for His coronation.
A few short days later, they clamored for His crucifixion.
Biblical Foundations of Identity
So what are the BIBLICAL foundations of identity... the foundations that won't shift with public opinion, or even my own opinion?
Here are a few things to consider...
Practical Steps to Embrace Your Identity
The first step to embrace your God-given identity is to receive salvation through the finished work of Jesus.
Romans 10:9-10 states, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved."
It is an action - not a feeling.
Next, read the Bible daily.
If you don't know what God says about you, you can't replace the standards of self-worth you've set for yourself. Determine to choose to say and think what He says about you.
Practice Thought Reframing.
What are the lies you've believed that cripple your self-worth? Write them down. Then, do a search for what the Bible says about them.For instance, rather than saying, "I have anxiety," turn one of the many scriptures on anxiety into a scripture affirmation.
Let's use Philippians 4:6-7 as an example, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
The Reframe: "I am not anxious about anything. I have told the Lord about my needs, and His peace guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Thank You Lord for taking good care of me."
Living in Your God-Given Identity
Though Jesus transforms our identity from lost to found in an instant, the internal process can take some time. And it can be a battle to retrain our mind to think about ourselves the way God thinks about us.
It is a day-by-day decision to choose to live in God's opinion of us, rather than our own. And here is the beautiful thing - He never changes. His love is constant. His care for you is constant. Circumstances come and go, but He remains faithful.
Consider that well-worn path to the sidewalk. Or the path your pup runs every day. Over time, the grass erodes and the dirt acts like concrete. It takes time and care and love to get the grass to grow again. Be patient with yourself. Be diligent in the study. Be determined in the transformation.
You will experience a change in your God-given identity. And then it won't matter what anyone else says. You will be confident in the truth that you are seen, you are loved, you are heard.
