How do I know who I am? What makes me, me? How do I figure that out? You need to find yourself is modern society’s response to identity: Look inward, and whatever you find there, celebrate it.
When most of us look inward, we end up defining our identity in one of four ways:
1. I am what I do
2. I am what I have
3. I am who I have
4. I am my desires
When we try to build our identities on what we find inside ourselves, we run into several problems. Our inward search for identity leaves us in a constant state of earning. And based on what we discover, we become trapped in cycles of self-righteousness or despair. None of these are secure.
But the good news of the gospel is that if we are in Christ, we are given a new, unshakable identity. (Colossians 2:1-10)
So how do we build our new identity in Christ? Colossians 3:1-4 tells us:
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are of earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you will appear with him in glory.
We will best understand ourselves when we stop looking inward and focus our eyes on God. Our identity is wrapped in His victory, not our own. We are defined by the fact that the God of the universe has adopted us into His family as His children.
It turns out that what we believe about God is the most important thing about us.
This week, set your eyes on Jesus: the founder and the finisher of our faith. Our identity is based on what He thinks of us from day to day and that doesn’t change. In Him, we have an unshakable identity.
Check out yesterday’s sermon here: