I’m often asked, “Who are you”? That’s an interesting question that is best answered within the context of the question. Sometimes I’m simply Cindy’s husband or one of my children’s father. Other times, I may need to state my job title or explain what role I’m filling at that moment.
These kinds of answers tell what I do, but they don’t really tell who I am. Another way of answering this question is to tell something that I’ve done. I’ve been a pastor in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, and South Carolina or I ran the Memorial half marathon and the Route 66 marathon. These tell what I’ve done, but not who I am. Who I am is not based on what I do or what I’ve done.
Who I am, my true identity, is found in my relationship with the God Who created me. I’m either a sinner in need of a savior or a sinner who has been redeemed by a Savior. Identity theft is a great problem today. We must be proactive to keep our identity safe. We go to great extremes to protect our identity in the physical world. We hide passwords or use encryptions to avoid being a victim of identity theft.
However, in our spiritual life many have simply given way to the wicked adversary who has robbed us of our true identity. Some have failed to put up safeguards in their lives that would prevent this robber from infecting them with the virus of their own lusts and or desires. This robber has stolen their intended identity that is found only through a relationship with the creator, Jesus.
So, who am I? I’m God’s creation, I’m a sinner who has been redeemed by Jesus, I’m a disciple, I’m a witness, I’m an ambassador, I’m a steward, I’m a servant, I’m a Christian, and I’m a (whatever other descriptive word the scripture uses to identify me as a follower of Christ).
The question that remains for you is, who are you? Are you still a victim of the robber who steals our true identity, or are you one that wants to recover your identity. If you are, I have some good news. You were created to have a relationship with God. His love for you is so great that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. So if you believe this, turn from your sin, and ask Jesus to redeem you. Then your true identity will be restored.
