Identity

I look down at my wrist and see the “Livestrong” wristband which marks some sense of identity. I see everywhere that there are all different colors now for these wristbands. They are used to identify someone to a particualr "cause" or purpose, such as Cancer awareness like my wristband or for the elimination of poverty like the "One" wristbands (which I also have).



It seems that everyone just wants to be identified with something of “cause” or purpose. Well, then I began to ponder on the phrase, “The ‘Cause’ of Christ.” I know that if you have been attending a church anywhere, you surely have heard this phrase before. If not, then please just bear with me.

Is following Jesus really something that should be put into the same category of the cause for cancer, abuse, poverty, missing children, or any other “cause” that we want to identify with?

I am struggling with calling it a "cause" for Christ, rather it seems to me that we are not called by Jesus to live a cause, rather we are commanded to surrender and follow Him in such a way that we live our lives for Him alone. That is not a “feel-good” cause or stance. I would venture to say that Peter did not die a martyrs death for a cause, rather he died for his belief in Jesus as the Christ, Son of the Living God.

If we were to examine our lives and live in such a way that we were in complete surrender, then the above mentioned causes would be parts of our lives as a whole.

In a similar vain, I recall my childhood striving to obtain a fake ID. I know you are all perfect and would have never done such a thing, but nevertheless, I did. I wanted to be identified as someone who was older and more responsible in order to purchase smokeless tobacco; only to discover that I was not carded because of my appearance. I guess I appeared older than most and was able to simply make the purchases.




However, lately in the church it seems that no one wants the identity of “Christian.” Now, I know that this may seem odd, but it is true. I have had people tell me that they would prefer to be called a “Christ-follower” “Believer” or “Fill in the denomination name.” Yes, the last is true I have had people who would rather be identified as a Baptist than a Christian. On the other hand, I have had people, including myself who did not want to be identified with certain denomination or group. Yet we seem to be quick to identify with being Democrat or Republican. It is easy to take on the identity of organizations or parties, but why do we shy away from being called, “Christian?”

Better still, I have noticed a title or identity that we rarely use anymore – “God-Fearing.” Yet, this is probably one of the most powerful names that could be given. That is another topic for another day.

Back to my story, I realized that my appearance was what allowed me to do things that others could not. It gave me a sense of power or authority that no one else had. Well, this is also true for “Christians.”

We are God’s Ambassadors.

Wow, now you want to talk about a cool identity. We are given the same authority and power as God Himself. We do not need a card or a wristband; rather we need a submitted heart and a humble spirit to God. Once this is done, others will notice our appearance and not question our identity. They will recognize that we are “set-apart.”

Like the Apostle Paul, our identity must be the cross of Christ. As he says, "I am Crucified with Christ, it is no longer I but Christ who lives in me."