Identity Part 2
In part 1 we discussed theory and touched on a small history of identity (although there are thousands of voices and opinions left untouched and uncharted) and delved into the central issue of identity. In this post I lay out a basic outline of *some* theological reasons to see our identity in Christ. The Scripture are the main source of our understanding of these things.
Biblical Identity
So now let’s look at the definition, what the Bible says about identity and how to apply this:
Defintion:
Identity encompasses how people see their purpose and values, which dictate their actions. An identity can contain multiple roles—such as a mother, teacher, and U.S. citizen—and each role holds meaning and expectations that are internalized. Identity continues to evolve over the course of an individual’s life.
David Hume had the idea that identity is like a box of various things that moves through time, so that the things in the box are constantly moving in and out of the box as it moves through time. As evidence he sites the idea that the person you were when you were born is not the same person you are now. Your identity has changed yet you remain the same soul.
This closely alines with the Bible’s view of the self and sanctification. We are supposed to be always growing in Christ likeness. So that we are the new creation in Christ, but we are always growing.
— 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
— 1 Peter 2:1-5 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
SUMMARY:
We are ever changing beings, who are created to grow and change in the likeness of the One who created us. Our identity therefore is found in relationship to Him and how we relate to Him. This begins with our admittance that we are broken, and unable to get to or achieve a relationship with the one who defines us. Left on our own, we would continue in our lost state, apart from true purpose or identity and would define ourselves based on values that would not fulfill us and our ultimate end would be Hell separated from God forever.
In light of this, the following are notes to study over regarding the theological understanding of our identity in Christ. These are not exhaustive, but are meant to stir more reading and studying into this important topic:
Our True Identity in Christ
1. We are created in God’s Image which gives us implicit worth
Genesis 1:27 – “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
It is a foundational truth that our identity starts with being made in God's image.
Status, representative, and communicable attributes are all encompassed in the fact that we are created in God’s image.
2. We are children of God; you belong to a family, a heritage, and a community
There is a privilege and given identity of being adopted into God’s family.
John 1:12 – “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Romans 8:14-15 — For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Galatians 3:27-29 — For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
1 John 3:1-3 — See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
3. New Creation in Christ (you have a nature, and there are expectations for you life)
Coming to Christ means a transformation from our old selves to a new identity.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Ephesians 2:10 — For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 4:22-24 — “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Colossians 3:1-4— If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
You are not defined by your sin, you are defined by Jesus life. You are now God’s, for His purpose and His using. There is an expectation now that you act like you belong to God.
Remember Carl Jung said we are neither our own masters or our own slaves - but we can be Slaves of Christ and He is our master and for those that know Him we like it. Because it locates us in the world.
Belonging to Christ is like a GPS for our soul - we can know where we are at in time and space based upon something outside of ourselves.
4. Beloved and Chosen (You are selected and therefore important to your creator)
God’s love and choice of us give us value and purpose.
John 15:16 — You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Ephesians 1:4-5 – For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 — But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
