Knowing Your True Identity

Have you ever received a notification that your account or credit is in jeopardy because of an overdue bill? Maybe the account is being turned over to a collection agency. I received one of those…it was addressed to me…with correct name, address, phone #, all of that. But when I contacted the accusing party, they provided more information about the debt, including an ID number that wasn’t mine. I had been trying to convince them that they had made a mistake, but until we tracked down that ID number, they wouldn’t listen. But finally, the representative called out this ID number, and I said, “Nope, that’s not my ID…that’s not me.”

Identity…it can make you or break you. Knowing your true identity can stabilize you in any storm; likewise, the lack of identity will leave you to the wiles of the enemy.

Just look at our current generation. Any social media or news outlet provides a continual feed of someone trying to figure out who they are, how they want to be addressed that day, looking for acceptance in every possible way, all because they don’t know who they really are.

These attacks are obvious assaults on true identity, and they are signs for us that God is working to establish His bride in true identity. The natural realm and the supernatural realm often run in parallel tracks, and if we can understand where the enemy is attacking, then we can partner with God to release His kingdom in that area.

It’s not just the world who is searching for identity. As believers, we know our identity is founded in Christ, but even in the church, many people struggle to know their true identity. I’m certainly no exception – I have struggled with it too. Just because you were raised in church, and know all the right scriptures to quote, doesn’t mean that you are secure in your identity in Christ. The enemy will take advantage of any opportunity to swing at you.

There are some scriptures that are familiar to most believers regarding identity, and they lay a good foundation for us. A few of them are:

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”

Romans 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

1 Peter 2:9 “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.”

I could go on with more, and you could too. But in recent weeks, the Lord has been challenging me in a deeper way. As I was driving home one evening, I was talking to Him about this season, and maybe even venting some frustration about things (as we all do sometimes). But then I felt prompted to ask Him what He was teaching me right now. Pretty sure that came from the Holy Spirit…because He is much smarter than I am.

His answer took me by surprise. He said, “I’m teaching you who you are.” I immediately began to quote all the appropriate verses about my identity, as if I was trying to impress Him with how much I know. (let’s just laugh at that for a moment…). He patiently waited until I was quiet and then assured me I had much to learn. Truth is, we never stop learning. Or at least we shouldn’t. True disciples are always teachable.

So, in the days that followed, He began to reveal deeper understanding of who I am...and who I’m not. That was the twist I didn’t expect.

Here are some truths to ponder:

I am a child of God, created in His image and reconciled to Him; I’m not just a sinner saved by grace.

I am someone who is already deeply loved and accepted into His beloved fellowship; I’m not someone who has to perform well to be loved.

I am one who was created to worship Him and tell others of His wonderful works; I am not designed to use my voice for judging others or putting them down.

I am chosen to represent Christ as His ambassador; I’m not one who lives for selfish ambition.

You get the idea, right?

Knowing who we are and who we are not will help us to stay the course He has put before us. I am tempted to say “stay in your lane” right about here...

If I am not secure in who God says I am, then I am easily caught off guard by some tactic of the enemy and can fall into some old behavior or thought patterns. But if I know that I’m made new, set apart and marked with the Holy Spirit, then I recognize the lies and will be able to dismiss them. Just like when that creditor tried to wrongfully corner me and hold me responsible for something that wasn’t mine, I can say ‘Nope, that’s not me’.

True identity is not simply knowing who you are, it’s knowing who you used to be – and realizing you are now someone different. The purpose of understanding your identity is not so you can simply quote scripture, it’s so you will look like Jesus on this earth. The Passion translation of Romans 8:29 is wonderful, and this seems like a good place for it:

“For He knew all about us before we were born, and He destined us from the beginning to share the likeness of His Son. This means the Son is the oldest among a vast family of brothers and sisters who will become just like Him.”

And that’s the heartbeat of identity – knowing the Father has created us to be His family...to be in Christ. We weren’t made to look like the world...we were made in His image. If we don’t know who we are, then we won’t be able to fulfill the calling on our lives. Oh, but when we get a revelation of the truth and reject the lies... when we embrace God’s word for us... when we understand that we get to partner with Him... the very gates of hell will tremble when we step onto the scene. We are the family of God; that’s who we are! We are the ones called to re-present Jesus on this earth...to advance the Kingdom of God...to see heaven on earth. Now is the time, family. Walk in your true identity!