Read: Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Cor.
4:16; Ephesians 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:6
What is your identity? When you look into the mirror or
pause long enough and look into your soul, who are you? Your true self, your
personality, your sense of worth and purpose, these are what make up your
identity. It is your true self, just being you and we would think that it would
be easy just being yourself, right?
The Fatal Flaw
In the beginning, identity was handed down from our Creator
and was never to be the subject of a search. He created us with His
fingerprints all over us, His purpose and plan were clear and readily
available. Yet our first parents, Adam and Eve, saw fit to look for their
identity somewhere else. Instead of seeing their identity in their Creator, in
His mission and purpose, they bought into the lie that rebellion would bring
true life, true knowledge that would satisfy them.
The moment they ate the forbidden fruit everything changed.
Instead of the free expression of their true self, their identity before their
Creator, they found themselves questioning who they were, their standing before
God and their very existence. Instead of openly walking in the garden and
joyfully talking to their Creator, they hid themselves. They received
knowledge, but it was damnable. They were separated from the One who created
them.
This human condition has been passed to all of us. The
reason we question our identity and live in fear each day is because we are
sinners separated from the Author and Giver of Life. We are looking to the
forbidden fruit for meaning and purpose and it continually skews our identity.
Our Plight
The search for identity is not imaginary and it is not
something to be taken lightly. It is a constant battle for every human being.
We are stuck in a rat race trying to find the answer to our questions. Not feeling
like you belong anywhere, where nobody really knows you and you are afraid to
let anyone inside of your heart is a fearful and lonely road.
You might think this is only a pursuit of unbelievers, but
many believers in Jesus Christ struggle with their identity because they
continue the search for something else to define them. Like the Peter was
willing to have faith to step out of the boat onto the churning sea, but looked
away from Jesus and began to sink. For a brief moment he experienced the fullest
expression of his true identity standing on the water with Jesus, but the
storms of life distracted him and he sank. Yet Jesus is faithful who saved him
when he cried out for help.
The Scriptures tell us that the eyes of man are constantly
searching and are never satisfied, it is a warning that when we are looking in
our own wisdom we will never find the answers. Some are looking for their
identity in their relationship with their parents, or their dad who is not even
in the home. Some are looking to their boyfriend or girlfriend and the recent
break up has destroyed them. Some are looking for their identity in their job,
in their body image, in their sexuality, in the party scene, in their video
games, in pornography, in academics, in sports, in popularity, etc. Each of
these will leave you empty and unsatisfied.
The True Source
The Bible is very clear that Jesus Christ is the author and
giver of life. He spoke the world into existence and formed Adam and Eve with
His very hands. Psalm 139 tells us that everyone is “knit together” by Him. As
our Creator He says He has created us with His image built in.
What is an image? As John Piper shared, so many will argue
what precisely being made in the image of God means through the expressions of
emotions, will, creativity, etc. However, no matter what the particulars mean
the very essence of an image is to image something.
Being created in the image of God means we were created to
reflect something, our Creator. Our identity is wired into the very DNA of our
existence, we exist to bear the image of God. We exist to reflect God to
others.
Passive Image Bearer
Followers of Jesus Christ believe that every human life has
value and is important. Their value does not come from their wealth, their
social status, their abilities or academic astuteness. Instead their value
comes from the fact that they are image bearers of God.
This is why Christians fight against abortion, injustice,
and slavery. This is why we seek to feed to homeless, care for the orphan and
send missionaries. This is why we talk to our friends at school and pray for
our families. Every human being is created in the image of God.
Unfortunately, do to sin they don’t realize this. Everyone
has the innate sense that there is something more, but they don’t realize that
is tied to the image God created in them. They bear this image passively
because God created them with it.
Active Image Bearer
As followers of Jesus we should seek to actively live out
our faith, to be Image Bearers to this lost and sin sick world. As reflections
of the Light of Jesus Christ, we are to be a beacon to this dark world.
We continually seek to be more an more like Jesus by
spending time in prayer, in the Bible and in communion with fellow believers.
As we do this, the Holy Spirit works in and through us to shine the truth about
Jesus to the world.
When your eyes are fixed on Jesus your true identity is
known. You are a special creation of God, adopted into His family, forgiven of
sins, and called to His mission. As a child of the One True King your identity
is solidify and this changes everything.
Being an Image Bearer
Without Jesus Christ there is a constant search for meaning
and identity. We will constantly search and try new things to give us an
identity, but in Christ we find our true identity as an image bearer of God.
This changes everything. Every relationship we have is redefined. Every job,
passion, and enjoyment is colored anew.
Being an image bearer means we imitate Christ. When people
look at us they should see Jesus. We should spend time in the Gospels, in the
Bible and learn of the character and heart of God and live it out. Our attitude,
speech, passions and character begin to change. As we remain in Christ we will
become more and more aware of our identity in Him.
Again an image is created to image something. Your identity
is what you are reflecting. What are you reflecting in your life? Is it a
constantly changing image based on your search? Or are you reflecting Jesus to
this lost and dying world?
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