Not Identity Theft, But Identity Gift

Well, I’m not sure if you’re aware, but identity theft is a major problem in our country right now. It’s when a person steals your name, your credit card, or your personal information and uses them for fraudulent purposes. Now, clearly, it’s unacceptable behavior to steal another person’s identity. And yet, as Christians, we are by definition a people who have someone else’s identity. In fact, that’s why we’re called Christians, because our identity is in Christ. And we’ve not only been given an identity that we weren’t born with and that we didn’t earn, but in addition, we’ve been invited to empty the checking account, if you will, and take advantage of all the benefits that this new identity of being in Christ brings us.

According to the bible, this is not identity theft, but an identity gift. Jesus says it this way in John 15:7-8, “If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you [so if your identity is in Me] ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” Jesus goes on to say in verse 11, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and your joy may be full.” So here's the question, where’s your identity, and why wouldn’t you want it to be in Christ?

Something to think about from the Proclamation point of view.