Everyday Welcome

How Do You Identify?


Listen Later

We know identity is a huge issue in our world today. What determines who you are and how you'll live? Dig in with me to answer the question of, "how do you identify?"

(Find the full post with complete show notes on the Everyday Welcome blog!)

Recently I found myself in maybe the most awkward 30 minutes in my adult life. And I know I can be dramatic, but it really felt that way. I was with a group of other believers and in this setting, I was the “new girl.” The people around me were talking about some deep and heavy things they'd recently walked through, and while I know without a doubt these are not people who meant to be unkind or unwelcoming, I couldn't help but feel awkwardly "talked around" as they discussed what was on their minds. While I'm pretty driven when it comes to pursuing connection, I felt weird enough that at a point, I ducked my head, slipped out, and went to sit alone while I waited for the event to start. I spent some time a day or two later talking with friends, and when I shared, each of them opened up with a time when they, too, had felt weird or unwelcome in a setting that should have been comfortable and inviting.

So what is it that makes us feel out of place with even those God's called us into a family relationship with? Over the next few weeks I'd like to tackle this, and today we're starting with identity. I think it's important we answer the question of how we identify ourselves, and answer it truthfully. Until we do that, we won't know or even care how we're called, then, to live!

 

It's amazing how much weight humans place on our "identity," as defined by personality tests, books, and whole schools of identity philosophy. 

 

Here's the thing: no matter what certain tools may do for us, they cannot be given more weight than the word of the One who created us. So let's dive into what God's word has to say about how we "identify" ourselves.

 

Biblical principles we can look to as we decide how we "identify:"

  • We are created by God, uniquely male and female (see Genesis 1). 
  • In Jeremiah 1:5-10, we see that God determines calling even before conception. We see that life in the womb is sacred and fully personhood. We see that our natural tendencies do not define our calling, but rather God's decision. And we can walk confidently in our calling, because God is WITH us and equips us.
  • John 1:11-13 shows us that when we repent of our sins and accept the gift of salvation, because God willed it, we become His children.
  • Romans 6 tells us part of our identity as Christ-followers is those who, formerly spiritually dead, are free from the bondage of sin, and fully alive because of His work in us!
  • In Ephesians 1, we learn if we are His, it is because God chose us, and it pleases Him! We can take great confidence in His work, and rejoice in our new life!
  • Ephesians 2:1-10 says we are identified as beloved, made alive, saved, lavished by grace and kindness, and gifted - by the work of God Himself. We are also now part of a set-apart family of people - His children... and this will define how we interact with each other, too!
  • 1 Peter 2 tells us we are, in Christ, a “chosen people,” royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, and we're called, because of this identity, to “declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light!”
  • In 1 Peter 4:7-11 commands that we use our whole selves to give God glory and dominion forever and ever. As we ask the question of who we really are, we're told that we are called to use whatever strengths, gifts, personality traits we have, to pray, to use self-control, to give, to love, and to show joyful hospitality.

 

Our identity as children of God through Christ is woven throughout all of scripture - and extra-biblical history shows us powerful examples of how God's people walked out that identity!

John Piper says this: "The big questions in life are not 'Who am I?' The big question in life is 'Whose am I?' You have got to answer that question. Whose are you? Whose are you? That’s the issue. In the twentieth century, we get all bent out of shape about self-identity and stuff. Who am I, and my worth, and my esteem, and my value, and all that — man. When you read the Bible, the huge issue is right relationship with God and to whom you belong, whose you are." (source)

 

 

It is vital as we ask the question of, "who am I?" we find the answer in the words of the One who made us, who lavishly loves us, and who calls us to walk according to the identity with which He has gifted us, because of that great love.

(Find the full show notes in the blog post at Everyday Welcome!)

In her book, The Hidden Art of Homemaking, Edith Schaeffer says, “There are various art forms we may or may not have talent for, may or may not have time for, and we may or may not be able to express ourselves in, but we ought to consider this fact-that whether we choose to be an environment or not, we are. We produce an environment other people have to live in. We should be conscious of the fact that this environment which we produce by our very 'being' can affect the people who live with us or work with us.” 

PS: I think the most obvious answer to the question of "how do you identify?" is that who we are is defined in the richest, most beautiful fullness, in our relationship with the God of the universe, who stepped down and invited us into intimate relationship with Himself.

Resources:
  • Enneagram: Alisa Childers, Mama Bear Apologetics part 1 & part 2, Sean McDowell, Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, Got Questions, The Gospel Coalition, and Kevin DeYoung
  • Edith Schaeffer Hidden Art (this is the original version I have) or The Hidden Art of Homemaking
  • Desiring God on Identity
  • John Piper, "How Do I Find My Identity?"
RELATED EPISODES:

 

Be Kingdom Minded (episode 9)

How to Read the Bible and Love It

 When We Feel Afraid But God Is Bigger 

LET’S CONNECT:

Instagram

Facebook

Join the Facebook Community!

Pinterest

YouTube

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Everyday WelcomeBy Angela Sackett