1 Peter 2:10

“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”

The television series, Who do you think you are? always makes fascinating viewing. Researchers delve into the lives of famous people and reveal amazing details about their family history. It is interesting to know about our history but what really matters is who we think we are today. What is our identity? Peter says that as Christians our identity has completely changed. In the past we had no identity but now we are God’s people. In the past we had not tasted the mercy of God, but now we have.

A true understanding of our identity is of crucial importance to the way in which we live today. If we thought that our lives were our own and we could do whatever we liked, we would live in one particular way. We wouldn’t be bothered about other people’s rules and expectations. “I did it my way” would be our signature tune. But when we see ourselves as one of God’s people, everything is different. The Christian’s aim is to be able to sum up their life by singing “I did it his way”, because as we live for God we quickly learn that walking in his way is always best. It’s the path of love, joy and peace and in the process it leads to the greatest fulfilment that this world can offer. Jesus summed up his teaching to the disciples by saying that his purpose was to give us a “rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10).

Of course, we all have lots of identities. I am a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, minister, Englishman and a thousand other things. Each of those identities has real importance and we should cherish all the different aspects of our lives. But our identity as Christians is the one that needs to colour, shape and enhance all our other identities because it is not only the most wonderful description of us, but also the most enduring.

Question

Who do you think you are?

Prayer

Loving Father, I thank you that you have given me an identity that not only enriches every single day, but which lasts for ever. Amen