Who are we? {Part 1}

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

1 Peter 2:9

Identity is so important in the life of a Christian.  Life just seems to make more sense when we know who we are and what we're called to do.  Unfortunately, many times we find ourselves taking on the wrong identities and getting lost within them.  These false identities can have many origins, including:

• Our ancestors or family history.  "Everyone in my family has struggled with alcoholism, so it's just a matter of time until I do too."
• Our circumstances.  "Things are so hard at my job right now; maybe I'm just not smart enough to cut it."
• The words of others.  "My friend told me to cut back on the desserts; I guess I'm just fat."
• The words we speak over ourselves.  "I keep falling back into the same pattern of sin over and over; God must be so frustrated with me....I'm really not worthy of His love."
• The words God speaks over us.  "You are my servant, I have chosen you and have not rejected you" (Isaiah 41:9).

Depending on the sources, we can take on a variety of labels in no time at all, strap them onto our backs, and carry them with us down the road of life.  Labels like Stupid, Fat, Lazy, Drug Addict, Weird, Boring, Negative, Self-Absorbed, Criminal, or Worthless can quickly weigh us down and prevent us from living the calling that God has for us.  Only labels that are given by God speak of our true identity in Him.  We are Loved, Special, Chosen, God's Own Possession, More Than Conquerors, Created for His Glory, Saved by His Mercy, and Destined for Eternal Life (to name a few).  These labels help drive us on in our journey instead of weighing us down, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).  [Keep in mind that godly people can speak God's identity over us and help us discover who we are in Him.  As long as He is the source of their words and they are speaking them out of love and obedience, we need not immediately discount them just because they came other people!]

So, in order to live a life of victory, it's vital that we learn who we are as children of God and walk in that identity everyday.  Doing so will help us recognize false labels the world may throw at us in order that we may deflect them and leave them on the ground where they fall. 

The Bible is full of examples of our true identity, and contains many spiritual role models who lived out that identity, such as Abraham, Moses, David, Joshua, Caleb, the prophets, Peter, Paul, and most importantly, Jesus.  One verse that helps label at least some of our identity is 1 Peter 2:9, which is found at the beginning of this post.  Let's concentrate on each label one by one, starting with the subject of today's focus: 
A CHOSEN RACE.

I recently wrote a post about this very thing.  Knowing and believing with conviction that you are chosen is an excellent place to start in determining your identity; perhaps that's why Peter named it first in his list.  If we're not chosen, than there's not much else to base our identity on.  Think about it.  If coming to know God just happened by chance, or we somehow stumbled upon Him, would it really be that important to know who we are in Him?  We'd probably just wonder if God did everything at random and without thought, including molding and shaping us into His image.

Deuteronomy 10:15 says that God sets His affection on the people He chooses.  I love that thought.  The word "sets" implies that He gives His love with intention and purpose, and the word "affection" sort of goes beyond love in a way, doesn't it?  Kind of like loving your grandmother because she's family, but also having affection for her because of what she means to you.  It's the same way with God.  He loves us because we are His children, but He has set His affection on us because He has chosen us.

Pray that God will begin to show you who you are in Him and what He has called you to do.  Ask for Him to remove any false and burdensome labels that have weighed you down, and to help you recognize when another one is trying to latch onto you.  We were made for so much more than we realize, and we were chosen by God in order that He may show us what that "more" is.  Stay tuned for Part 2, and thanks for reading!  :o)