When asked the question, “Who are you?” how would you respond? I dare to think that most answers would be connected to our origins, our race, our level of intellect, our marital status, our religious affiliation. Some might even speak about their sexual orientation, their political convictions, or their social ideologies. The possible answers are therefore numerous and complex.
All these identities are legitimate and important because we all feel a deep desire to belong. Our different identities give meaning to our lives; they shape us. I would even go so far as to say that they impose on us a certain way of living, an ideal to strive toward. For our various groups and the causes we defend, we are ready for anything—the best as well as the worst. How many times have we heard about the excesses of certain communities or the positive changes brought about by groups driven by social ideologies?
But in our quest for self-discovery, it is important to pause… and to ask the right question: Who is our Creator? This question is crucial because creation cannot determine its own identity. Can we truly know the identity of something without consulting its creator? I don’t think so.
To know our identity, it is more than necessary to turn to our Creator, the engineer of our lives—the One who conceived us, formed us, and brought us into being. He alone knows our true identity.
So what does the Word of God say about us?
The Word of God declares that we are the light of the world. The salt of the earth. A chosen race. A royal priesthood. A holy nation. And many other things.
From these verses, we can conclude that we are not defined by our ethnic or racial backgrounds, our ideologies, or even our past mistakes. On the contrary, the Bible declares that we are precious beings, loved and set apart for and by God.
When we fall and feel that God loves us less because of our transgressions, His Word tells us that He loved us even when we were in the world. That same Word also reminds us that nothing—ABSOLUTELY NOTHING—will separate us from the love of God.
This notion of identity is fundamental to our Christian walk because everything flows from it. Knowing one’s identity is a source of authority and power.
Our identity is rooted in the love that God has for us.
A love that transcends all understanding and human perception.
A love that never grows weary of pursuing the lost sheep after every wandering.
A love that allowed itself to be humiliated and beaten for our sake.
A love greater—far greater—than even the love of our earthly parents.
I am also tempted to say that the expression of our identity goes even beyond what our Creator says about us. It requires knowing the nature of our Creator. For understanding the Creator’s nature reveals the value and significance of the creation. God is love, the Bible declares! Can Love create beings who are unloved?
In conclusion, this is an attempt to help us understand our identity in Christ. It is easy to become discouraged when we do not know who we are and who has called us. The love of God is both a privilege and a gift that we must receive in order to live fully in His freedom. Let us therefore be reassured, for we are truly cherished by Christ.
The next time someone asks you, “Who are you?”
I hope you will answer: Jewels of Christ.
