You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. (1 Peter 2:9 NLT)
The devil is constantly trying to convince us to find our identity in anything smaller than Jesus. He would have us find our identity in our work, in our relationships, in our gifts, talents, and abilities. Perhaps you are finding your identity in your achievements and accomplishments or on how many people press “like” on your Facebook profile picture. This is what I call “identity theft.” When we place our value in anything smaller than Jesus, we are left weak, weary, and wanting. We have allowed our sinful flesh to steal our true identity from us.
In our verse for today, Peter reminds us that we are called to live in the reality of our royal identity as children of the Most High God. When we are in Christ, we have an identity that nothing in this world can tarnish or take away. The apostle Paul assured us that “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT). This God-breathed truth is intended to strengthen us to rise above looking to the culture around us for our identity and to find it only in Christ.
We are in this world, but not of this world. We are pilgrims passing through this world on our way to glory. Along the way, we are to keep our eyes fixed on the One who laid His life down so that we can live in relationship with Him forever.
Where have you been looking to find your identity lately? If it is in anything smaller than Jesus, it will never satisfy. Silence the lies of Satan in your life! Your value is in Christ. Your self-worth is in Christ. Your meaning, significance, and purpose in life are in Christ alone. When you rest in and respond to this truth, you will no longer be subject to the “identity theft” that threatens to disturb your peace and rob your joy.
Remember, you are who Jesus says you are. Even in your mess, you are His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). You are His child, even when you are not acting like it. You were created to be exactly what Jesus says you are, nothing more and nothing less.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 