February 8, 2012"Identity"
I drove past a bus stop today and saw one of my relatives, who is in her middle 50's. I noticed here hair was colored some bright pink shade mixed with lots gray hair. I thought, "Wow. She still doesn't have a sense of self." I see this a lot with teenagers who are struggling to find out who they are. Imitating any an everyone hoping someway they will find themselves. It's all the more disturbing when I look at the children of God doing the same thing.
"I will make you a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:2-3 NIV
The promise that God made to Abram, in Genesis, established not only his identity but the identity of the nation of Israel. Their identity was directly connected to their purpose. The nation of Israel was to be a people different from everyone else. They were to live differently (follow the laws of God) in what they ate, how they dressed, conducted business and worshiped. They were a "chosen" people with whom God, Himself, would live in the midst of. Their purpose would be fulfilled when the Messiah would be born, Jesus Christ.
"The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways." Deuteronomy 28:9 NIV
God's promise to Israel was sure as long as they remained focused on Him. As long as they remained true to their identity. Well, the bible shows us what happened when they didn't and the consequences of lost their sense of self.
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Today, many of us are trying to find ourselves. We are wandering around the wilderness of this world trying to fit in. Our identity is directly connected to the purpose for which we were created. There are too many of us struggling to "find ourselves" outside of Christ. We have been called to be a people who live differently, worship differently, conduct business, talk, do everything differently. We are called to be holy (like no other). The only way to find yourself is to look to Jesus Christ. We have to read His Word. He is our living example. He is our role model. He is LORD.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...
Hebrews 12:2a NIV
