Who Are You?

Romans 8:15 “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”

Think

When someone asks us about ourselves, we often list our roles, traits, or experiences – the things that seem to define us on the surface. It's like saying we're a parent, a kind-hearted person, or someone who has experienced ups and downs in life. But have you ever stopped to wonder if these descriptions truly capture the depth of who you are at your very core?

Consider this: your job, your family role, and even your personality traits, while important, don't encompass your true identity. They're like pieces of a puzzle, significant, yet incomplete on their own. Your authentic identity, beyond any worldly label, is found in being a child of God and a citizen of heaven, all through the grace and authority of Jesus.

In a powerful parable by Danish philosopher and theologian Søren Kierkegaard, we encounter a day laborer who never imagined being noticed by the emperor. Yet, to his astonishment, the emperor not only acknowledged him but desired to bring him into the royal family. At first, the laborer was intrigued by the idea of occasional encounters with the emperor, something to boast about to friends. However, the notion of full adoption into the emperor's family seemed daunting – too close, too intimate, requiring a surrender of his old identity.

Similarly, we may struggle with the radical concept of being adopted into God's family by the King of kings. It's tempting to settle for occasional glimpses of God's presence or symbolic gestures of his favor, treating him as an accessory to our identity. But God desires more than that; he desires our entire lives, our hearts, and our devotion. He longs for us to proudly bear his name and walk in the fullness of his power and purpose.

So, as we think on our identity, let's remember that our true power, our authority, lies in being cherished children of God. It's a profound truth that invites us to embrace his love wholeheartedly, relinquish our old identities, and live as heirs of heaven. Let's not settle for a surface-level identity but dive deep into the transformative identity God offers us as his beloved sons and daughters.

Apply

Do your words and actions reflect the change of your identity? Tell someone today about the power of Jesus in your life. Your testimony of God's faithfulness and transformation in your life can inspire and encourage those around you.

Pray

Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing to me the truth of my identity in Christ in a world that often defines me by roles or labels. I confess that at times I struggle to fully embrace my identity in Christ. Give me the strength and courage to live out my identity in practical ways, and to show love, grace, and truth to others around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.