Who Are You?
| It hit me personally almost a decade ago. As I drove into the parking lot, a wooden cutout of an old black crow and a bouquet of black balloons dancing in the wind greeted me. They announced to the world and reminded me, as if I needed reminded, of who was “over the hill”. Many have encountered the same revelation or questioning of themselves that I did that day. Some call it a “mid-life crisis”. We wonder what we really have achieved in life that is significant. Some are disappointed that their goals and expectations were not realized. Others perhaps reached their goals but wonder what’s left in life. |
Even more pronounced than a mid-life crisis is an identity crisis. It seems that most Americans suffer from an identity crisis. If I were to ask you “Who are you?” perhaps you would give me your name or reply with your vocation – “I’m a farmer”, “I’m a factory worker”, I’m a teacher”, “I’m a mother”, “I’m a housewife”. You may say, “I’m an American, “I’m Caucasian”, “I’m an African American”. But I did not ask what you do, where you live, what race or nationality you are. Who are you? What makes you a whole person? It is not position, money, talent, beauty, or popularity that determines who you are.
Several years ago a young lady came into my office to talk with me. She had just graduated from high school with honors, had been given a new car for her graduation, and had excelled in athletics. As an attractive young Christina lady, she seemingly had a bright future with a college education ahead of her. But while outwardly she “had it all together”, inside she felt insecure, afraid, and ugly. After talking for a while, I asked her “Who are you?” Puzzled she stated her name and then stated all of her achievements. “No, I didn’t ask what you have done or what you do. I asked you who are you?”
Like so many people, this young lady in my study had an identity crisis. Who we are on the inside is more critical than what we are. Stroking our ego will not bring us through our identity crisis either.
One of the wisest and wealthiest men who ever lived, King Solomon, came to this realization toward the end of his life. Taking stock of who he was, he concluded that all the wealth, achievements, and outward adornment was “…. all vanity and striving after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:12-14).
In the very beginning God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He gave them dominion over all His creation. They had significance, meaning in life, fulfilling work, security, and the privilege of daily talking and fellowshipping with God. They could have what ever they wanted and eat of anything that appealed to them except one thing. That one choice they could not make without disobedience to God. Adam and Eve listened to the lies of the serpent, Satan, and partook of the forbidden fruit. Instantly they died spiritually. Sin separated them from God. They were driven from the garden of God’s presence. Adam and Eve lost their identity in God. The fall of Adam and Eve brought in the dominant negative emotions and sin of fear, shame, guilt, depression, and anger (Genesis 4:5-7). Adam and Eve hid from God when they realized that they were naked and guilty.
God, who is merciful and gracious, did something very significant – He slew an innocent animal to clothe Adam and Eve’s nakedness. That act looked forward in time to God sending His only begotten Son into the world as the second and last Adam to redeem and restore our identity as sons and daughters of God. In Christ we are able to know God personally. Our relationship with God through Christ is a cornerstone of our identity. “For since by man (Adam) came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.” (I Corinthians 15:21, 22)
Your identity does not rest on what you are but who you are. Who are you? Are you a child of God? “For as many as received Him gave He power to become sons of God, even as many as believed in His name.” (John 1:12)
Don’t believe the devil’s lies that you are a failure, a loser, a good for nothing bum. When you receive Christ by faith, your life is changed. “If anyone be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17)
You can find your true identity on Christ:
A. Admit you have sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
B. Believe in Jesus. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
C. Confess and leave your sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
D. Discover and depend on who you are in Christ.
by: Cliff Sanders