The word "identity" has several definitions. I have included two of them here which illustrate the point I am endeavoring to make in this blog post.
- the condition or fact of being a specific person or thing; individuality
- the characteristics and qualities of a person, considered collectively and regarded as essential to that person's self-awareness (from yourdictionary.com)
1. What is the chief end of man?
Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.
Romans 11:35 says "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to Whom be glory forever. Amen."
I Corinthians 6:20 "For you were bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
I Corinthians 10:31 "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Psalms 16:11 "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
We are expected, by God, to glorify Him and to find joy in Him. This, should be our chief assignment for each day, and where we start in our identity. This sort of reason for living, goes across economic lines, and goes across every boundary, no matter where we may be. If you are a single person, you can glorify God by living a pure life invested in others, and you can enjoy God by finding fulfillment in Him alone. If you are a married person, you can glorify God by living out God's plan for marriage found in Ephesians 5:22-33, and you can enjoy God by finding your ultimate fulfillment in Him at all times and when your spouse lets you down (and he/she will). If you are rich, you can glorify God by using your money to further His causes and not your own, and you can enjoy God by remembering that He is the source of your happiness, not your money. If you are poor, you can glorify God by doing the best you can with what you have, and enjoy Him by knowing that He will supply all of your needs.
When we began to live for the glory of God, any circumstance which we may find ourselves, suddenly becomes a "gateway to joy" as Elisabeth Elliot has stated many times. Living for God's glory and not our own, gives life lasting purpose, and a pure, real identity! When we can see ourselves as placed on this earth for God's eternal purpose, not our own selfish fulfillment, our lives can be transformed. It will then be a natural stepping stone to find joy in the One who created us!
In Colossians 2:9-10 we read, "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power..." Complete in Christ! Yes, there is wholeness to be found by immersing oneself in the One who made me! By finding the identity He created for me, there is peace, joy and purpose to be found.
In Ephesians 2:10, we read that we are God's "workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works., which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." We are created for good works! Here, we see another aspect of our identity and purpose. We are to do good works which bring glory to God. When those things are done for the glory of God, we can find fulfillment and a sense of purpose.
So, based on the above scriptures, (and others), we can conclude that...
1. We are created by God.
2. We are created for God.
3. We are created to fulfill the purpose for which God created us, which boils down to glorifying Him in whatever situation we find ourselves.
4. We can trust God with the plans and details of our lives.
5. We can find our "identity" in God alone! How freeing is that?
May you find blessing and peace as you lay down the identities which are fleeting and earthly, and pick up, as your chief identity, that of glorifying God and enjoying Him!
