Identity

Identity is defined as a noun. A noun is a word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things ( common noun ), or to name a particular one of these ( proper noun ).

Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines identity as a noun: Sameness, as distinguished from similitude and diversity. We speak of the identity of goods found, the identity of persons, or of personal identity. The fact of being who or what a person or thing is. "he knows the identity of the bank robbers" for example.

It is often observed of a young person or teenager, “They are having an identity crisis.” In other words, they are trying to discover who they are or who they want to be. Identity is defined as “sameness”. An old English proverb says, “A man is known by the company he keeps”. When one thinks of identity as “sameness”, identity can be qualified by the “sameness” he has with others.

We are living in a day and age where many are experiencing an identity crisis. Gen Z, (10 year olds to 24 years old, born from 1997 to 2012), is a generation trying to discover who they really are and with whom or what they identify. The Barna Group (an evangelical Christian polling group) calls Gen Z the first truly post Christian generation. “Previous generations had a basic education of the Bible and Christianity - but not Gen Z.” Gen Z’ers have many among them who have serious questions about who they really are. For example, “A 2016 survey by the J. Walter Thompson Innovation Group found that only 48% of Gen Z’ers identify as ‘completely heterosexual’ with 52% unsure of their sexual orientation.

Identity, more than at any other time, has been understood to be the choice of the individual. In many respects, it is a choice. In our society there are those who “identify” as a man or a woman, or both (described as Non-Binary). Some choose to identify as something other than human. They identify as an animal, a post human or transhuman. ( I am not making this up). Many in their journey to self-love and self-acceptance have chosen specific pronouns as to how they are to be addressed. In our current culture there are many who are adamant about which pronouns (he,him,his, she,her,hers, they,them,theirs, etc.) are used to describe themselves.

Happily, the Bible answers the questions that many people including Gen Z’ers are asking. “Who am I?” “Where did I come from?” “Where am I going?” “What is my purpose?” “To whom do I belong? Who will accept me? Who will love me? Christianity and the Bible get right to the heart of these issues. When one accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, all these questions and more are answered. Especially the question of identity. We as Christians identify with Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection and the life that we now live. Paul writing to the Galatians said, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20).

It is true. We have a choice in this life. God would have us choose life and blessing, goodness and truth. Within the pages of the Bible we are charged to choose life or death, blessing or cursing. God or the devil. Moses cried out in the wilderness, “……Who is on the LORD's side? let him come unto me.” (Exodus 32:26). Again in Deuteronomy, Moses stood before Israel and announced, “….I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Dear reader, we do have a choice in this life. God Himself accepts us and loves us just as we are. I urge you to Accept Jesus Christ, One might say, “Well, I cannot change who or what I am. You will have to accept me just as I am.” The Good News is that God does accept us just as we are and by His power He changes us. We now identify with Jesus Christ. He became sin that we might be made righteous. He died to give us life. He became weak that we might be strong. He suffered shame to give us His glory. He went to hell to take us to Heaven. He was condemned that we might be justified. How do we change? We cannot change ourselves but He can. The scriptures will help us on our journey to change. Jesus said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) We are sanctified, (set apart and cleaned) by the Word of God. Paul declares that by confessing Christ, God works a change in us. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). God’s Word changes us. Peter declared, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter1:23) Paul said in Romans, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2). By renewing our mind with God’s Word, we are transformed (changed) into His image. Friend, I want to encourage you to come to Christ, He will change you. He will begin a great work in you. The Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Philippians, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1:6). Friend, find your identity with the One who created you. He can do what none of us can do for ourselves. I encourage you to find your identity in Christ.

Pastor Gary Bailey

Light Ministries Church

Lewistown, PA

Email Pastor Gary at: gbmin@me.com