“I’m Captain Smith!” I remarked with a touch of pride. With a group of journalists, I was visiting Branson, Missouri’s Titanic Museum. As we traveled through the stunning exhibits, I made the boast more than once. Until …
“You know you’re not the hero in this story!?” questioned a smart young writer (bordering on smart aleck).
I didn’t mention it again. I had “identified” as Edward Smith, captain of the infamous and “unsinkable” ocean liner because guides hand each museum guest a card with the name and a brief biography of a passenger on the Titanic. I had received the captain’s identity card.
As the world is awash in an avalanche of identity – personal and political – I’ve done a lot of thinking on that word lately. Identity.
How do I determine and define my identity? When have I identified as something or someone whom I obviously am not? A false or muddled identity may get one in trouble, or at the least, an embarrassing episode.
That day at the museum, the sense of prestige and pride in being top dog made me forget that indeed, history does not remember Smith with kindness. He is generally considered at fault for not responding to early warning signs that the Titanic was in peril. At the end of the tour, each visitor learns if his/her passenger survived. As the giant ship sank, Smith perished along with some 1,500 others while about 700 survived the disaster. Smith’s body was never recovered.
That experience spotlights how I can so easily be captured by human pride. It helps to recall that episode occasionally. This week, I’ve been finding encouragement in promises from Scripture that help me revisit my identity in Christ.
Both the apostle John in his gospel and Paul, in his letters to the churches, often cite how true Christian faith provides an arsenal of truths that should keep believers on track. The list cited below helps me strengthen my grasp on how deep and wide is the love of our Creator and how thorough His Word is in helping me appreciate my identity in Christ. Many additional Scriptures reinforce these few.
Redeemed
First of all, confession and repentance lead us to salvation, a brand new relationship with the God of all creation. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:7, we are redeemed, our sins forgiven and our future changed for eternity.
Chosen
We often think we’re in total charge of our lives. But in John 15:16, the disciple instructs and humbles us, helping us realize that God chose us, in the sense that He always knew precisely the moment when we would bow before Him, repent, and begin to bear fruit for His kingdom.
In Ephesians 1:4, Paul echoes the same truth, even pointing out that God had His plan for us even before creation.
Children
John says the believer has the “right” to become God’s child and that we are His heirs (John 1:12). And Paul reiterates the relationship of heirs (Galatians 4:7). In further reassurance, John goes so far as to say that in eternity, the faithful follower will be like Him (1John 3:1-2).
Free
As Paul wrote, every Christ follower finds a new freedom, a freedom that helps us stand firm against the tentacles of a culture that tempts us toward decisions that would again enslave us to ungodly lifestyles (Galatians 5:1).
Light
At this point in a Christian’s faith journey, the relationship with Christ points toward the responsibility to let one’s light shine brightly at every opportunity. Matthew records one of the Bible’s most familiar metaphors and challenging principles when he quotes the words of Jesus: “You are the light of the World” (Matthew 5:14).
Established
Paul challenges believers to invest themselves in growing strong roots which will establish us firmly in the faith (Colossians 2:7).
Ambassadors
It’s Paul again, this time declaring that God calls us to be His ambassadors carrying the gospel to the lost world (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Conquerors
Among the Bible’s most encouraging truths are Paul’s words in Romans 8:37 – “… we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
What comforting words as I consider my identity in Christ. From repentance to redemption, from child to conqueror, I am obviously loved by an omniscient God. These truths are also a challenge as I consider His claim on my life to carry His message to a world in need of Him.
