A new identity
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he [or she] is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
An identity crisis is defined as a period of uncertainty or confusion in a person’s life. This crisis occurs when a person’s sense of identity becomes insecure and unstable. An identity crisis usually occurs when there is a change in a person’s life, but it can happen at any time, and to anyone.
According to Psychology Today, our identities encompass memories, experience, relationships, and values. These components all help to create our identities and our sense of self. As human beings, a sense of identity helps us live and be well and also lends itself to a sense of belonging. If we know how we define ourselves, it is easier to find communities and places where we feel like we belong.
The Christian church is a community of believers in Jesus Christ. It is a place where we are called to belong: ‘…including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ …’ (Romans 1:6). This spiritual calling, to belong to the Creator and Redeemer of our lives, cannot be revoked! Romans 11:29 tells us: ‘…the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.’ In calling us into a relationship with the beloved Son, God has given us a brand new identity. We are a new creation. We will no longer experience an identity crisis because we now have a new life in Jesus Christ: ‘Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.’ (Colossians 3: 2-3).
As new creations in Christ, we have a glorious future awaiting us where no one will experience the traumas and uncertainties of an identity crisis. We will be with the One to whom we belong.
Prayer
Loving Father, thank you for calling me to belong to Jesus. Please enable me to take this special calling seriously, and to realise what a wonderful blessing it is. In Jesus’s name, I pray, Amen.
Study by Sherwin Scott
About the writer:
Sherwin Scott is a deacon in the Lewes congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion in Lewes
The House of Friendship
208 High Street
Lewes
BN7 2NS
Meeting time:
Sunday 11:00 am
Local congregational contact:
Hilary Buck: lewes@gracecom.church
Like us on: www.facebook.com/Grace Communion Lewes
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church