Identified by God!

"It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us." (I Corinthians 1:21,22 NLT)

We seem to be in a never-ending search--trying to determine our identity--who we are, our roles in society, our value--and for the Believer--we have already been identified and marked with His stamp of approval--Holy Spirit indwelling in us.

When I hear about people in "identity crises" I cringe. I mean I know what it's like for people to wonder who they are when their parents or other ancestors are not known, when their origins are obscure and they feel like they just don't fit in with the family they have. I even understand people trying to find themselves as a transitional stage of life, but for Believers to not know who they are and do everything they can to fit in with "the world" just does not make any sense to me.

First of all, for a Believer to say they do not know their identity in Christ Jesus, I'd have to question their proclamation of being a Believer. Being a Born-Again Believer is not about being in a certain denomination or having a particular religious affiliation--it's about having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

We overcome any doubts about who we are by staying in God's Word, being in constant communication with Him and knowing when Holy Spirit is speaking to us; empowering us to do all that God has asked us to do. He has already identified us, so why are we in doubt?

The doubt is not a part of every believer's life, but for those who waver--on one side of the fence or the other about belonging to Him or being part of the world's system of political correctness. For those whose minds have been clouded with the deceptions of Satan, believing that what God said He no longer means, and we can just do anything we want, change any body parts we want simply because we "do not know" who we are. He knows who we are--before the foundations of the earth, He knew and established plans for us--plans to prosper us, not to harm us. He knows the future He wants for us, so who are we to change His plans?

He created us in His likeness--male and female--with specific roles to accomplish and equipped us with the means to live the identity He gives.

If people do not know who they are, perhaps it is because they do not know who He is and how He does things. Perhaps, they think they know better than He does and are determined to "create their own identity" apart from the one He has already established. I'm praying for them--for God's wisdom to saturate their minds and hearts and truly see Him in all His glory and understand He knows--far more than we could ever understand.

Now, if God has identified us and empowered us with Holy Spirit living within us, why are we so afraid to let the world know who we are? We are not fooling God by being under-cover Christians because He does not need secret agents working on His behalf. We must learn to go about our Father's business in the boldness we have and be even bolder because the enemy is bold and we should be bolder.

For those who are wavering in their faith of God--I understand the identity crisis. For those who proclaim total belief in God, there should never be an identity crisis. Who are you? Do you know your identity? Are you familiar with the rich heritage we have as Believers? If there is any doubt--seek Him and know--you have been identified by Him and given His stamp of approval with Holy Spirit.