40 years ago I never thought that I’d ever see a Generation with so many identity issues, where we not only don’t see parents imparting identity to their children but also where we seem to be looking for our Identities in all of the wrong places.
In the natural realm mothers and fathers are supposed to be the ones who tell their sons and daughters, not only who they are, but also to impart vision and purpose into the next generation itself.
“And Jacob called for his sons and said, Gather yourselves together [around me], that I may tell you what shall befall you [a]in the latter or last days. Gather yourselves together and hear, you sons of Jacob; and hearken to Israel your father.” Genesis 49:1-2
In Genesis, at the end of Jacob’s life, he gathered together his sons and began to speak over them, to not only pour identity into them but to also Prophesy their futures as he saw it. He was able to pour identity into them from the start of their lives to the conclusion of his.
If moms and dads in the natural realm stop pouring in identity into the next generations then those generations will not only not know who they are, they’ll go searching for their personal identities in other places.
The ultimate imparter of Personal Identity is God the Father! Jesus Christ, when He came into this world, not only knew at a young age why He was here, but He knew exactly Who He was and Who His Father really was (Luke 4:18-21).
That Knowledge of His True Identity, not only helped Him know what His purpose was while He was here, but it kept Him focused upon the assignment that He had been given from God, while also dealing with the devil and his lies at the same time.
In this generation people are finding their identities in their jobs, their spouses, their children, their churches, their titles, and even in their social groups online.
While all of these things are not necessarily bad things to have in the lives of anyone, they are not a substitute for the Real Identity that you can only have in Jesus Christ and your Heavenly Father!
While the world is struggling to even figure out what gender they actually are, the church has tried to find its Identity in its giftings and its callings more than actually in Jesus Christ Himself, and that has created a huge problem for the people of God as well as the world at the same time.
If the Sons and Daughters of God don’t know who they are in Christ Jesus, then how is the world ever supposed to see Who Jesus Christ really is and experience Him for themselves?
“Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish, in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), And that I may [actually] BE FOUND AND KNOWN AS IN HIM, not having any righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands, but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.” Philippians 3:8-9
To all of my ministry friends out there right now in the Body of Christ, I would say, “Those titles (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher) that you’ve given yourselves (or that have been given to you by God) are not your identities, those are the Job descriptions that have been given to you in order to serve others around you.
Your real identity brothers and sisters, can only be found in your Heavenly Father, by Jesus Christ, and through the Power of the Holy Spirit of God! Any other place that you try to find your identity will ultimately lead you in the wrong direction! Jesus Christ needs to be your Source and your Resource for everything!
“For this reason [[d]seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, FOR WHOM EVERY FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH IS NAMED [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name].” Ephesians 3:14-15
Jesus Christ is the Source of Your True Identity and only when you find your identity in Him will you truly understand who you are and why you’re here!
Featured Image by Παῦλος from Pixabay
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