Be The Fruit

I. T. – Where do you find your identity?

by Bill Blair on 07/08/08 at 5:09 am

How do you identify yourself?  How do you define who your are?

Sometimes one of the most difficult questions I answer is, “Tell me about yourself.”  How do you begin to answer such a question?  In most normal conversations, our identity typically moves to the question, “What do you do?”  For some reason we seem to think a person’s job tells us a lot about a person.  In our culture, I guess we think we can see the measure of a person based on what they do for a living.  If they have a really good career, then they must be good because they are successful.  But, that really does not tell us much because such a person might be consumed with a successful career, but with a home life that is in shambles.  On the other hand, a person may have a “lesser” job, but with a great home life and a growing relationship with God.  That really looks at how others identify you, but the question of the day is, “How do you identify yourself?”

Now this is Idolatry Thursday, but this question is not directed at any specific idol.  This is essentially a diagnostic question that you can ask yourself that might reveal some idols that you might have in your life.  Answers to this question may not reveal an actual idol, but it may give you something to consider.

Do you identify yourself with your chosen career, as mentioned earlier?  Be careful, because many people can get wrapped up in their lust for a successful career and leave God behind.

Do you identify yourself with your hobby?  Is breaking 80 on the golf course keeping you from things you should be doing?

Do you identify yourself with your favorite sports team?  Are you a rabid fan who sins every time your team loses a game?

Do you identify yourself with your blog?  Is your blog reading/writing keeping you from spending time with your family? (not me, never, I always read and write at home)  I guess I am preaching to myself here.

Do you identify yourself with your kids?  Be careful that you are not living vicariously through their lives and achievements.

The list could go on and on.  Give this some thought today.  Ultimately, we need to remember that we must find our identity in Christ.  Remember this, even if you find that your identity is in something other than Christ; if you find that your identity reveals an idol that is pulling you away from God, there is hope for transformation.  Consider the following passage of Scripture:

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, ESV)

I love this passage of Scripture because it lists several “identities” of people who were transformed and justified by Jesus Christ.  Remember, if Christ can change these people, he can change you too.

Until next time, put God first and “be the fruit.”

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Question adapted from:  David Powlison, Seeing with New Eyes, (Phillipsburg:  P & R, 2003), 140. Link.