Identity
Identity is a very vital factor for any person living in this modern world. Everyone is recognised or identified by that one thing they carry which is special or outstanding. People often strive to withstand and guard their identity. Most of the times, we see among great people that their ladder to success is tied up with their identity. Jesus, our master is an everlasting role model to us for being strongly rooted in His Identity.
When Jesus was questioned about His identity by the high priest, He was bold enough to reply to him, saying that He is the Son of God. He did not give up on His identity even though He was put into traumatic situations like getting beaten up, spat on His face and struck. In another place, Jesus is seen boldly confessing that He is the King of the Jews before the Governor (Matthew 27:11). His conviction over His identity was not shaken by the situations around (Matthew 26:63-67). Because Jesus knew that the identity that He carried was established by God the father (John 13:3).
There’s an other beautiful aspect that when you know your God- given Identity and be rooted in it, it makes you or gives you the strength to humble yourself disregarding your own. “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.”John 13:3-5. From this incident, we understand and learn that Jesus knew who He was and then did the humble act of washing the disciples’s feet. It is only when you are aware of your God- given identity, you will fearlessly humble yourself. If not the fear of losing your own identity might grip you to an extent, where you will not dare to humble yourself. So Humility is being aware of who you are in the sight of God, disregarding your own identity but realising your God- given identity.
Jesus was very clear that His identity was of God. “…for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.” John 8:42. If God gives you an identity, He himself will back it up. Hence, rebellion against the God- given identity of someone, is rebellion against God himself (Acts 5:38,39). Because, to fetch us this identity of God, a costly price was paid. It is the precious blood of His own and only son. If your identity is from God, it will be recognised by the world. Peter and John were identified by the people around through their acts (Acts 4:13). So, humble yourself before God alone, but before men be strong and be rooted in your identity which is given to you by God. Before the world identifies us, we should identify ourselves in the first place.
Situations cannot rob us of our identity. The world and the enemy keeps trying to destroy our God- given identity. Like how the enemy did to Jesus. In the act of destroying His identity, he thought that killing Jesus would destroy His identity. But that was the moment of manifestation of God’s glory (Ephesians 1:19-21). The story of a man with a God- given identity cannot have an end without glory. Jesus was disfigured, ruined and was pathetic than any man to look at; yet his identity was exalted above all at the end according to the prophecy of Isaiah (Isa 52:13-15).
We who are believers in Christ and His sacrifice for us, need to be aware that we are carriers of His identity, for which the Holy Spirit stands as a seal of guarantee (Ephesians 1:13,14). That means, we are called for His glory to be manifested in us (Romans 8:29,30). Do not compromise in the identity God has given you by paying the blood of His son Jesus as a price. The identity that you are “called, set apart, righteous, healed and blessed.” Hold on and stand for your God- given identity and experience the blessings of it.
