There Is No Identity Crisis In Christ

Recently I lost my wallet. With that, of course, I had no driver’s license or any other form of identification. I would not be able to prove my identity to someone, if asked. But when one becomes a Christian, in a spiritual sense, there is never a loss of identity. There is adoption into the family of God, and becoming children of God. Romans 8:14-16 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God…you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons…the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Further, we are heirs of Christ.  Verse 17 adds, “and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”

When I lost my wallet and all sources of my physical identity, there was no proof of me being born in the United States, and therefore, an American citizen. But no matter what country one is born in, when he or she becomes a Christian, Philippians 3:20 says one’s “citizenship is in heaven…”  This world is not our permanent home. We are spiritual aliens in this world. We have reservations in heaven that God is preparing for us (John 14:1-2), “to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…(I Peter 1:4).

For my earthly identity I have a social security number. Anyone can find out things about me from that one number. However, spiritually, I am not identified by a number. My name is written in heaven! Luke 10:20 says, “rejoice that your name is written in heaven.” Not only is my name written in heaven, but it also appears in the Lambs Book of Life. Revelation 21:27 mentions in reference to heaven, “But nothing unclean will never enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Now, I am sure this probably is not a literal book, but it is a “spiritual method” God uses to keep track of who has placed their spiritual identity with Christ by accepting Him as their Savior. And that will never become an identity crisis! Not only that, but one’s identity in Christ will never be lost. It is eternally secure.

John 10:27-28 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”  This reminds me of the old hymn which has the refrain: “When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.”

In whom or what do you place your identity? Do you know why God created you? What is your purpose in life? An identity crises is defined as a period of uncertainty or confusion in one’s life. With God you can know for sure who you really are in his eyes and can live with confident assurance that you are a child of God, adopted into his family, with a citizenship in heaven. You are not just a number. You are a name that God loves and cares about. And there is no mistaken identity with God. He knows who has accepted Him as their savior and who has not. I hope and pray that you are one who has!