Can we talk a little bit about identity today?
I know, this is a subject that appears to be covered everywhere right now, but it’s important to really know we are chosen, called by name, and loved beyond all measure, by God, Almighty.
Understanding and believing God are two different things. The word of God tells us, repeatedly, how much he loves us, yet we struggle to accept that truth. No doubt about it, identity is under attack, but there is a place of security where we can stand believing and trusting God regarding who He says we are.
Overcoming the lies of the enemy that bind the heart, is not necessarily as difficult as we imagine it might be. You see, he doesn’t’ actually have authority. Oh, he talks big, but there is no real power, at least not compared to the power of God. And that right there is the key to overcoming and breaking through—we stand in agreement with what God says.
Sounds easy enough, right?
Sure, but you and I both know how easy it is to get stuck in lies. So, how do we get out from under all that? Well, we start with repositioning the heart, the soul, and the mind. We get brave and we step into the process of believing God and allowing him to change the way we think.
God created humanity in his image and then declared the man and the woman very good. He delighted in his creation and celebrated all of it. But, what’s interesting for me is that he didn’t have to do any of it—he chose it. God in his sovereignty and grace, chose you and me to be his beloved.
Compelled to serve
When I was 15 years old, I went to Trinidad for two and a half months. It was a short-term mission trip, that I felt compelled to take, but I had to fight for it, because my parents (just like any other responsible parents), weren’t quite so excited to send their young teenager off to the ends of the earth—alone.
Well, I wasn’t really alone, but you know how it is. I’m not going to lie, when my kids hit that magic age I found myself wondering what possessed my parents to let me go? Well, it was the Holy Spirit, but also an impressive act of obedience on their part to override the flesh, which by the way, initially and loudly opposed my crazy bold request. Anyway, they let me go, I went, and it was life-changing.
I was only a couple of years old, in Christ, but I was all in for whatever wild adventure the LORD had in mind because I just wanted to serve him. You know what? Inexperience does not deter God. Nope, He took my willingness—massive weaknesses and all—and led me to a place of revelation. That experience, so far removed from comfort and familiarity, provided an opportunity to practice radical trust.
My time on the mountain really did bring me to the end of myself and to a place of surrender. The Lord invited me to follow him, and that’s what I decided to do. When I came home I knew that I had been called by name and that Jesus would eventually lead me into something more.
Identity under attack
I was young and had no idea what would come next, but I was fired up and so ready to go wherever the Lord directed. In fact, I was ready to quit school and head out as soon as I was sixteen (because that was the magic age where I could legally opt-out if I really wanted to).
Thankfully, my responsible parents stepped in with a profoundly firm word: “Are you out of your mind?” They told me if I quit school I should plan to move out and fend for myself. Ultimately, they supported my desire to give my life to ministry, but they weren’t willing to support my ludicrous plan. So, we worked together until I had something a little more viable.
You see, God needed to teach and train me how to trust him. If I was going to follow him into the places He had in mind, He knew I was going to need extra fortification.
God called me to come, I said yes, and then the enemy began his onslaught, as he worked every angle to dismantle my identity. That’s how it works. As terrifying as it is to be marked by the enemy, the superior truth is that God is greater, He is present, and he will fight for his kids. That’s our God and that’s just how good He is.
It was in this season that the LORD gave me this scripture verse, which became my lifeline.
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13-14
Chosen by God
So, let’s start right there with God’s word, because it is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), which gives us a place to meet with God and to know Him. The scriptures are His testimony, not just a historical account, and His words continue to lead, encourage, and breathe life into our souls. God speaks identity over our lives, and because He is creator he gets the only say on the matter.
In the beginning, God created man and woman in his image for the purpose of community. We were created for an intimate relationship with God and with each other. To be chosen by God means, we were his idea—He chose to create us, love us and then He redeemed us. Chosen by God means to be marked by him—identified as his beloved.
In his sovereignty, there is freedom. God never violates the choice to follow or reject His grace and love. Crazy, I know, but that remembrance that His love doesn’t force is important because the power of perfect love provides a safe place to know him and to be known by Him.
“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.” Romans 8:29-30
As followers of Christ we can be confident of this one thing—we are indeed sons and daughters, dearly loved by the Great I am. I don’t doubt that you’ve heard this and likely even agree, but honestly? Are there times when you wonder if God really loves you?
Called by Name
“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
Every time I read those words, it wrecks me. The God, who created all the earth and everything in it, mighty and powerful, lacking nothing, identifies me by name. He is possessive and His word also describes him as jealous.
God has set us apart, giving us an identity that is rooted in Christ. How amazing is that? He doesn’t define us by what we have done, but by who he says we are. We are not slaves, we are beloved sons and daughters of God, Almighty. And with that title, comes access and inheritance.
“So, you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins our spirit to affirm we are God’s children.” Romans 8:15-16
As sons and daughters of God, we walk in divine privilege. Not that we are better and lord over others, but that we live under grace and in the abundance of perfect love. God is ridiculously faithful—at least that’s how it looks from our perspective. Foolish even, right? Isn’t that how Paul describes the gospel in his letter to the Corinthian Church?
The Kingdom of God is upside down to what we understand in the world, but it carries a profound rightness that brings shalom—healing and completeness. Living out of the rightness of who God says, I am, requires believing him and taking him at his word. God’s perfect plan leads his children to live out of their identity.
Loved beyond all measure
“Long ago the LORD said to Israel: ‘I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.” Jeremiah 31:3
Seriously, He loves His children—you and me—that much. The love story of God toward his chosen people is written all the way through the pages of scripture. It is utterly amazing to me, how relentless He has been from start to now, in His pursuit to redeem humanity.
The redemptive work of the cross, where Jesus became sin, so that perfect love could overcome death is nothing short of miraculous. That God would take the place and pay the debt, all to make it easier for you and me to come close and receive healing and wholeness is astounding. Wow—but that’s our God!
Perfect love, which has the power to cast away all competing spirits of doubt, speaks of desire. God doesn’t want our obligation, He yearns for a desire birthed out of delight and intimacy. His unfailing love delights over his beloved and it draws us in.
“I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me.” Song of Solomon 7:10
This is the environment and the narrative of a relationship with God. He loves His children and His goal is for our good. We must learn to rest in our identity as beloved sons and daughters because it is out of the rest, that we can overcome.
Identity gives leverage to overcome and breakthrough
“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 1:19
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead, is alive in us. Our identity in Christ places us in direct contact with the Father. Scripture tells us, that when Christ died, the temple veil tore from top to bottom, which is significant because that’s the physical barrier that kept us out of the holy place of God. Sin, of course, is the spiritual barrier, but when Jesus died, so did the power of sin.
Our identity in Christ, gives us access, to the Father, and in that place, He draws us close and begins the inner work of restoration and healing. God invites us to know him, to believe him, to submit to his power, that we might know life.
“Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Romans 8:12-14
I love it! We are not obligated to sin anymore! In fact, our choice to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit testifies that we are indeed the sons and daughters of God, the Almighty. Because of the power of God, we can overcome sin (and all its dictates) and live in the abundance of God’s amazing grace.
An identity marked by honor
Our identity as the beloved sets us up for every provision imaginable. God himself is present and with him all the fullness of who he is—God himself IS the provision. Do you know what else God does for his sons and daughters? He underscores our validity and worth with honor.
“You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.” Psalm 23:5
You see, God chose you, fought for you, called you by name, placed you in the holy place with Christ, and delights over you.
You see it, right?
Mine!
That’s what he calls you. And he calls me that too.
He, who is faithful and good, jealously pursues and fights for our healing. When we find our identity as His sons and daughters, we get to enjoy the divine privilege of knowing his heart and his ways—that’s the sacred invitation he offers.
Beautiful sons and daughters, beloved of God—this is our identity. It’s powerful and it’s where wholeness is. This is the place God wants us to live, move, and have our being. This—this is what breakthrough looks like!