A TIME FOR EMPOWERMENT

How can we be empowered for effectiveness if we do not know who we are?

• Identity crisis – We live in a world with serious identity crisis and until we know who we are in Christ; who God has called us to be, we will continue to live a defeated life.

God did not waste His time when He created us. And as our creator, He knows that our value and worth is far beyond what we could ever realize. It is only by running to God that we will find our value and identity, and truly realise the masterpiece He made us to be.

Identity Crisis In The Bible

One of the best Identity crisis in the bible is Genesis chapter 3. In this chapter, Isaac was asked by his father Abraham to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering on Moriah — the spot where Abraham had prepared to sacrifice Isaac soon after God told him to leave his country and settle in Canaan (Genesis 22:2-3). In response, Isaac had a sudden encounter with an angel who told him he could not sacrifice his son because he was God’s precious gift to him (3:8-11)

An identity crisis is a stage or time in a person’s life when they start to doubt who they are and what they’ve chosen, and they feel uncertain and confused about their place in the world. When a person’s sense of identity is threatened and unstable, a crisis like this one develops. Typically, when a person’s life changes, they have an identity crisis.

Identity crises are very common these days; many people are either experiencing them or have previously experienced them. who am I? that is the question we struggle with every day. Having an identity crisis is not a bad thing; it simply indicates that you are interested in learning more about yourself.

“So he went to his father and said, My father. And he said, Here I am. Who are you, my son? Jacob said to his father, I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.”– Genesis 27:18-‬19 ESV

For instance, when you start working, you are given an identity card that allows you access to certain areas of the organisation when you come for the first time. So if accidentally lose your ID card, you won’t be allowed to enter the premises or possibly if it is stolen and used to break into a certain location to take something from the organisation; in this instance, you would be accused of stealing and experience an identity crisis.

Jacob, like Esau, stole his brother’s identity to obtain his blessing.

Knowing Your Spiritual Identity

“Spiritual Identity” is the characteristics, feelings, or beliefs that make one different from others. Knowing God and understanding who you are in God is the definition of spiritual identity. People who discover the significance of their existence in God and who are acknowledged by God can develop their actual selves, find safety, and find purpose in their lives. As Christians, our spiritual identity is part of accepting His gift of eternal life through faith.

There are various types of identities such as gender identity, nationality, race, ethnicity, etc. 

In the Bible, it has been recorded that a plethora of persons who God had blessed with gender identity, race, nationality, and even spiritual identity although they failed to hold it firmly but guess what?? They eventually did.

Zacchaeus: From our Bible study, we observe that Zacchaeus, was a tax collector Fact, he was the chief tax collector. He was regarded as a corrupt and dishonest worker but even with his riches he was not satisfied, he felt something missing, and as soon as he was able to interface directly with Jesus he repented. He had known that wasn’t the actual identity he possessed hence he wanted to be more.

Ruth: The story of Ruth is another expository story in the search for identity. Her husband died, and she was supposed to return as instructed by her mother-in-law, Naomi but instead, she insisted on telling her, “Wherever you go, I will go, wherever you live, I will live.   

This particular act portrayed what it is to become a Christian, one virtue of which is “unity“  with Jesus Christ as seen in 1 Corinthians 2:23. She exhibited it passionately as to become a new creation in Christ. Colossians 3:10, Ephesians 4:24. And we can see that Ruth fulfilled her purpose because she married Boaz and became the great-grandmother of Jesus.

Rehab: The same is of Rehab. She was lost but God sought her, brought her into the family, and rejoiced over her. God sought out this unlikely Gentile to fulfil His purposes, and big surprise, he chose well. Matthew 18

Moses: When Moses ran into the wilderness and finally had a moment’s rest, he must have looked back at the event that had gotten him there and thought, “Man, I messed up. I completely failed at helping the Israelites.” And he was probably right. But God took him into that wilderness to teach him what he would later need to fulfil that purpose. He struggled with confidence and low self-esteem in Exodus 3 and 4. When he learned how to properly live out what God wanted him to do, God was glorified and the people of Israel were delivered. Moses was a stammerer, had low confidence and self-esteem, was terrified, and was probably depressed. But with the aid of God, he was able to save an entire nation. The same is true in our lives. It is easy to look at what we feel is expected of us and assume that it is part of God’s will for our lives, but the expectations of others are not the guide God has established for our lives. He wants to lead us by His Word and the Holy Spirit.

Who In The Bible Had An Identity Crisis

Many of the characters in the Bible, including Moses, Gideon, Jacob, and Esau, struggled with difficulties of identification.

We were made in God’s likeness, which is very clearly stated in the Bible. As a result, He is the source and foundation of our identity (Genesis 1:27). When we lose sight of the plan that our Creator has for us, identity crises occur.

The Bible makes us understand that even though we’re made in His image, we’re to find out who we truly are through His word. Our identity shouldn’t replicate another. It has to be natural even in the way we walk, talk, react to things, dress, and in our dealings with people.

So When We Accept Jesus As Our Lord And Personal Savior We Become New With A Spiritual Identity, And The Old Us With Its Identity Is Gone.  We Are All Seen As New Because Through Jesus Our Sin Has Been Paid For. We Are Righteous And Good Gifts Before Him.  

In the Bible, God’s word communicates very clearly that we were created in His image. Thus, our identity, at its core, is founded and rooted in Him (Genesis 1:27). Identity crisis happens when we lose sight of our Creator.

As Christians, spiritual identity is very important, because it helps us to fulfil our purpose on earth.

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”– John 1:12 ESV

And who am I?

When you become a Christian and believe in and receive Jesus, you are then entitled to the title “Child of God.” Therefore, when someone or you begins to doubt your identity, “Who am I?” I AM A CHILD OF GOD will be your response!

END OF PART 1