We have discovered that our identities should not be determined by others, by the things we have, or by what we have accomplished. Rather, our identities are determined by our Creator. Because God determines our identities, then there is no doubt who we really are. So how did He create us? Genesis tells us, “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Gen 1:26–27). One of the greatest truths in all of Scripture is that we are made in the very image of God. To ensure that we understand this idea, He reiterates three times that we are made in His image. It’s as if He knew we at some point were going to forget it.
The sad thing is that image became marred because Adam and Eve fell for the oldest trick in the book: doubting who they were. Satan came and deceived them into thinking that there was more to their identity beyond how God created them. So instead of believing that their identity was defined and complete in God, they fell for Satan’s lie, and we have been searching for our identities in other things than in Christ ever since. This misplaced search for identity has affected our relationships and how we live.
When we don’t know who we are, we don’t know what to do or how to live. We try to create our own identities, forgetting that our identities have already been determined. The beauty of the Gospel is that Jesus didn’t fall for Satan’s lie. He knew who He was, and because He showed us who God is, then we can unequivocally know whom God created us to be.
Noted sociologist Charles Cooley proposed a theory called the “Looking Glass Self” which suggests that people contrive their identities from how the most important person in their lives sees them.In other words, the most important person in our lives determines how we see ourselves, ultimately determining our self-identity. Sadly, if that person is your wife, your kids, your parents, you coworkers, or your friends, then they will let you down or disappoint you. And when that happens, what happens to your identity? I would like to suggest the only One we can base our identities upon is the One who created us in His image. But how does He see us even in our brokenness? The next two weeks will delve into that.
Conversation:
Who is the most important person in your life?
Do you base your sense of identity upon what s/he thinks of you?
I am indebted to Frank Bondarant for the ideas behind this month's topic.
Recommended Book
You are NOT who you think you are. In fact, according to bestselling author Craig Groeschel in Altar Ego, you need to take your idea of your own identity, lay it down on the altar, and sacrifice it. Give it to God. Offer it up.
Why? Because you are who GOD says you are. And until you’ve sacrificed your broken concept of your identity, you won’t become who you are meant to be.
When we place our false labels and self-deception on the altar of God’s truth, we discover who we really are as his sons and daughters. Instead of an outward-driven, approval-based ego, we learn to live with an “altar” ego, God’s vision of who we are becoming.
Discover how to trade in your broken ego and unleash your altar ego to become a living sacrifice. Once we know our true identity and are growing in our Christ-like character, then we can behave accordingly, with bold behavior, bold prayers, bold words, and bold obedience.
Altar Ego reveals who God says you are, and then calls you to live up to it.