Hey ya! Have any of you ever wondered what makes up one’s identity? I have, and needless to say, it was a rather daunting task. Is it our name? It is where we come from? It is how we look? How do we distinguish between what qualifies as characteristics of our identity and what doesn’t? For example, what might be a bright and bubbly personality to some, may be an annoying pest to others. With that being said, which one applies and how do we know?
First, we’ll start with where you come from. Often times, one’s identity begins with the environment in which they are born into. If you’re born into a wealthy family, a prominent name or a suburban neighborhood, it is more likely that you will have an identity of higher perceived importance. On the other hand, if you’re born into a lower economic class, to a less prominent name and an urban neighborhood, society tends to place less value on the individual, therefore creating an identity of lesser perceived importance. Realistically speaking though…can’t really rich people who live in the burbs be horrible human beings? And on the flip side, can’t really poor people who live in the hood be some of the most morally upstanding people one could ever meet? Food for thought…Which actually segues us into the next two perceived components of identity: how one presents themselves and what one looks like.
Am I the only one with that one boujie aunt, who is absolutely from the hood, but walks around like her poop smells like roses and honey? Or better yet…who’s seen Malibu’s Most Wanted? Am I the only one who’s ever met a B-Rad before? No matter how prim and proper or how ghetto fabulous, does one’s outer appearance or presentation truly represent their MORALITY? How about we take a look at what GOD says about identity.
The following scriptures may help shed some light on what TRUE identity is vs. what we have been CONDITIONED to believe…
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” –Jeremiah 1:5
“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].” –Ephesians 2:10
“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A CONSECRATED NATION, A [special] PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” –1 Peter 2:9
“There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male or female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim spiritual superiority].” –Galatians 3:28
“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” –Galatians 5:22-23
“Your adornment must not be merely external—with interweaving and elaborate knotting of the hair. And wearing gold jewelry, or [being superficially preoccupied with] dressing in expensive clothes; but let it be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, [one that is calm and self-controlled, not over anxious, but serene and spiritually mature] which is very precious in the sight of God.” –1 Peter 3:3-4
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” –1 Samuel 16:7
“I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” –Psalm 139:14
I don’t know about ya but, doesn’t seem to me like God teaches us identity has to do with where you’re born, how much money you have or don’t have, whether you wear expensive clothes, how you speak, or how you are PERCEIVED.
GOD JUDGES THE HEART, NOT THE OUTWARD CONDITIONS OF THE MAN (or woman).
If the heart is the determinant of one’s identity before the eyes of God, should identity then be societally based, or person based?
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