Losing Your Identity

There is a lot of talk these days about identity theft. It isn't uncommon for people to have their most personal information stolen, their bank accounts drained, and their credit ruined by some tech-savvy criminal. Not only do such actions wreak havoc on our finances, we are left feeling very uncomfortable...as if someone has invaded our privacy. The point is: we take great pride in our identity.

Of course, we don't have to have our identity stolen by a criminal to know that our identity is one of our most prized possessions. One of the greatest frustrations in life (and the most awkward) is when someone doesn't approve of some innate part of our character and insists that we give up or lose that part of our identity in order to please them. These comments shatter our self-esteem and sense of self-worth.

As important as our identity is to us, and as much as we want to be accepted for who we are, the main objective of Christianity is to change your identity. Notice these two verses in Ephesians...

"Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh - who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision..." (2:11).

"This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk..." (4:17).

The Ephesian church consisted primarily of Gentiles. In other words, these were people who didn't have a Jewish heritage. Instead, they grew up in pagan societies and homes. If a Jew was converted to Christ, they did have to make some changes, don't get me wrong, but if a Gentile was converted to Christ, they had to make a lot of changes - the way they spoke, the way they dressed, the way they viewed God, the way they did business, the way they interacted in society, their schedules, and their sense of morality. They, more than the Jews (in general), completely lost their identity when they agreed to faithfully follow the Lord.

Imagine having to lay aside your former self and start from scratch. Maybe you don't have to imagine. Maybe you know how difficult that is. Maybe you've been working on that transformation.

Or maybe your attitude is: "God should accept me as I am, and so should you." Maybe you're too attached to your identity. Maybe you don't like the idea of God "stealing" your identity. Listen closely: that's the very essence of Christianity. We must deny self (Mt. 16:24), be transformed according to the will of God (Rom. 12:1-2), and allow Christ to live through us (Gal. 2:20). As a Christian, it's not longer about you; it's about magnifying CHRIST by your words and actions (Phil. 1:20-21).

God won't accept anything less.