Identity Theft

1. Understanding Identity Theft: The Pervasive Struggle with False Identities

The problem arises when we dress ourselves up with counterfeit identities and wear them on a regular basis.

Counterfeit identities. We often assume false identities, much like a college student using a fake ID or someone padding a resume. These aren't just societal issues; they reflect our spiritual struggles with identity, where we might act differently with various groups or present a pleasant Christian exterior while harboring inner turmoil. This "identity theft" is a spiritual battle, as the Devil seeks to steal, kill, and destroy us with lies and accusations.

Spiritual enemies. Our three enemies—the world, the flesh, and the Devil—actively work to discourage us from living in the fullness of who we are in Christ. The world attempts to conform us to its mold, our flesh craves self-glory, and Satan reminds us of past sins and present failings to paralyze our faith. Understanding these forces is crucial to guarding our hearts and minds.

Reclaiming truth. To combat these false notions, we must embrace a biblical understanding of identity. Each chapter of this book explores this by exposing identity theft, revealing identity truth in Christ, and reflecting on how to live transformed in our true identity. Our identity in Christ is a fixed anchor, shaping every aspect of our lives, regardless of our roles, achievements, or circumstances.

2. Freedom in Christ: Rescued by God's Grace from Sin's Penalty, Power, and Presence

Perhaps no idea is more foundational to the Christian’s identity than freedom.

Three forms of freedom. Salvation from sin encompasses three categories: justification, sanctification, and glorification, which can be understood as freedom from sin's penalty, power, and presence, respectively. We were saved (justification), we are being saved (sanctification), and we will be saved (glorification). This comprehensive understanding prevents us from doubting our salvation when we still struggle with sin.

Justification and sanctification. Justification is God's unequivocal "yes" to us, freeing us from the penalty of all sins—past, present, and future—because Christ bore that penalty. It's a permanent declaration. Sanctification is the ongoing process where we are being made new, freed from sin's power by the Holy Spirit. We still sin, but we now have the power and growing desire to choose righteousness, "working out our salvation" daily.

Glorification and false freedoms. Glorification is the future certainty of complete freedom from sin's presence when we enter the Lord's presence forever. Without a firm grasp of these concepts, we can fall into false freedoms:

• License: Misunderstanding justification as a "get out of jail free" card to sin more.
• Legalism: Believing sanctification is achieved by our own efforts, leading to self-improvement and moralism.
• Escapism: Misunderstanding glorification as an escape from suffering, leading to fretful anxiety instead of patient anticipation.

3. Reflecting God's Image: Our Core Identity is as God's Image-Bearers, Not Worldly Categories

The truth about our core identity is so much richer, more glorious, and more soul-satisfying than any category or role we could conceive for ourselves.

Limited categories. We often seek identity in social categories like age, gender, occupation, or relationship status, which can feel tight and suffocating. When these categories shift or disappoint, our sense of self becomes destabilized, leading to identity crises. Relying on small, temporal, and unstable definitions makes us small, temporal, and unstable people.

Image of God. Our deepest sense of self must be found in God, as Genesis 1:27 states we are made in His image. This confers immense value and instills a profound purpose: to show forth the glory, power, and might of our King. Everything in our lives, from work to relationships, connects back to this calling. As Augustine noted, our hearts are restless until they find rest in God.

Humility and transformation. The paradox of finding identity in Christ is that to become our truest selves, we must know Him and submit to His authority. Like the first man and woman, we can be tempted by pride to be "like God," denying our created identity. Christ, in His humility, restored our true identity as image-bearers. This process of being "renewed in knowledge after the image of [our] creator" (Col. 3:10) is long and sometimes painful, stripping away idols, but ultimately transforms us into radiant reflections of God's boundless power, delight, and goodness.

4. Beloved Children of God: Adopted and Cherished by a Perfect Heavenly Father

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Unfathomable love. Christianity uniquely declares God's profound affection for us, not just as creatures, but as His beloved children. This truth, that God is our Father and we are His children, is the bedrock of our biblical self-image. Our souls long to know this steadfast, safe, pure, and abundant love, yet we often struggle to believe it due to the world, our flesh, and the Devil.

Overcoming lies. The world's brokenness, marked by absent or abusive fathers, makes it hard to trust a perfect Father's love. Our flesh questions our worthiness, pointing to our sins. The Devil tempts us with lies:

• Slave: You must work hard to earn God's love.
• Orphan: You are abandoned and alone.
• Illegitimate child: You don't truly belong.
  The antidote is Scripture's truth: God chose us in love before the world's foundation, predestining us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to His will and pleasure (Eph. 1:3–6).

Transformed by love. Our adoption and new birth in Christ are permanent, resting entirely on God's will and work, not ours. This unshakeable truth transforms us:

• Delight in His presence: We run to Him in every circumstance, knowing He is our strength, comfort, and guide.
• Desire to imitate Him: We naturally want to be like our Father, striving for holiness and conforming to Christ's image.
• Deep rest: His love quiets our anxieties and strivings for worth, as only knowing we are His beloved children can truly satisfy our souls.

5. Saints by Redemption: Declared Holy Through Christ's Righteousness, Not Our Own Works

We’re no longer called sinners. We’re called saints, which literally means, “holy ones.”

Beyond "sinner." We often define ourselves by our failures and sins, wearing labels like "failure" or "not enough." While it's true we struggle with sin, if we are in Christ, "sinner" is no longer our defining identity. Paul himself wrestled with sin (Rom. 7:15-19) but found refuge in Jesus, proclaiming, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1).

A new name: Saint. In Scripture, "saint" (meaning "holy one") is not a title reserved for exemplary individuals after a remarkable life, but the identity of every justified sinner the moment they come to faith. God sets us apart, clothes us in Christ's righteousness, and prepares good works for us. Our sainthood is grounded in Christ's perfect life, atoning sacrifice, and imputed righteousness, not our own efforts.

Transformed living. Living as a saint who struggles with sin is profoundly different from living as a sinner trying to be a saint. This identity transforms us in four ways:

• Relationship with sin: We become uncomfortable with sin, feeling an inner battle that signifies spiritual life.
• Hope in obedience and failure: We rejoice in Spirit-powered obedience and repent confidently in failure, knowing Christ's blood is sufficient.
• Grace toward others: Recognizing God's patience with us, we extend grace, humility, and kindness to others.
• Profound joy: Our unmerited, free salvation is the bedrock of our joy, offering refreshment and security in Christ.

6. Fruitfulness Through Abiding: True Spiritual Fruit Comes from Union with Christ, Not Self-Striving

Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Striving vs. abiding. Our culture often obsesses with "going, doing, being, and becoming," leading to shame when we don't achieve unattainable goals. We mistakenly place our identity in our achievements or our ability to measure up, like the superhuman Proverbs 31 woman, which can demoralize us. This striving for success in our own power, even for good things, is ultimately fruitless if divorced from Christ.

Abiding in the Vine. Jesus teaches that true fruitfulness comes only from abiding in Him, the true vine (John 15:1-5). Through Christ's atoning death and the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are connected to God, enabling us to understand His desires and bear fruit. This means true fruitfulness is found in rest, not frantic striving.

Dying before doing. While faith without works is dead, the "doing" must flow from the "dying"—crucifying our old self and living by faith in Christ (Gal. 2:20). Abiding in Christ is an active process involving:

• Dependence on grace: Our union with Christ is rooted in God's activity.
• Obedience to His words: Our response to Jesus's teaching.
• Rest in His love: Trusting His love whether we succeed or fail.
• Submission to pruning: Allowing God to cut away disloyalty and unimportance to remain wholeheartedly in Christ.

7. Connected to the Church: Our Identity is Communal, as Vital Members of Christ's Body

The spiritual fellowship that a believer enjoys with his Redeemer, is not a solitary or selfish joy, but one which he cannot possess alone, or except in common with other believers.

Beyond personal faith. While our relationship with God is personal, it is never only personal. The pervasive lie that faith is a private, individual experience, or that "organized religion" hinders authentic spirituality, steals our identity as members of Christ's church. We are not meant to be lone Christians; God made people to be together, establishing the first church with Adam and Eve.

God's chosen community. From Israel in the Old Testament to the early believers in Acts, God's people have always been a gathered community. The New Testament describes the church as a plant, a building, and a body, emphasizing our necessary connection to Christ and to each other. The church is not a human invention or an optional group; it is established, protected, nourished, and governed by Christ, fundamental to the identity of everyone who belongs to Him.

Living out our membership. Our identity is permanently and eternally linked to the church, bringing immense blessings. This transforms our lives in four practical ways:

• Join a local church: Publicly align with a biblical congregation, receiving spiritual care and community.
• Submit to leaders: Gladly receive and practice the Word preached by Christ-appointed pastors and teachers.
• Pray for your church: Invest in the welfare of fellow members, bearing burdens and rejoicing together.
• Support worship and work: Be present when the church gathers, using our God-given gifts for the common good and Christ's glory.

8. Inner Beauty, Eternal Splendor: True Beauty is a Gentle and Quiet Spirit, Reflecting God's Holiness

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

Idolatry of appearance. Our culture, and often our own hearts, makes outward appearance an idol, leading to dissatisfaction, comparison, and fear of man. We scrutinize our bodies, seek quick fixes, and agonize over looks, driven by the lies that:

• "Outward appearance is all important!" (idolatry)
• "I must measure up!" (envy, greed, pride)
• "I have to be beautiful to be acceptable or desirable!" (fearing other people)
  This misplaced focus takes over our hearts, occupying the space only God should fill.

God's definition of beauty. While God created a beautiful world and people, His primary standard of beauty is His holiness, righteousness, and purity. Peter instructs us not to focus on external adornment but on "the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious" (1 Pet. 3:3–4). This inner transformation, rooted in trusting and fearing the Lord, makes us truly beautiful.

Eternal perspective. Our fallen bodies are wasting away, reminding us that worldly beauty is fleeting. Botox, plastic surgery, or rigorous diets cannot prevent our inevitable return to dust. However, God promises to make all things new, transforming our "lowly body to be like his glorious body" (Phil. 3:21). This eternal hope allows us to shift our focus from self to Christ, pursuing holiness and living in the truth that our intrinsic beauty comes from being God's intricately designed creation, made for His glory, and becoming more like Jesus.

9. Serving for God's Reward: Our Service is for Christ, Not Human Applause, with an Eternal Inheritance

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.

The love/hate of service. We often find serving rewarding when it makes us look good or is appreciated, but resentful when it's overlooked or deficient. While Jesus commanded us to be servants, we resist being treated like one, muttering "I'm not their servant" when feeling taken for granted. This reveals a misplaced desire for approval from people rather than from God, our true Master.

Serving the Master. God designed us to seek approval and desire reward, but our problem is expecting it from the wrong people. Paul's instruction to bondservants in Colossians 3:22-24 is key: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Our only Master is God, and we serve our neighbors for His sake, finding secret joy in unrewarded excellence because He sees and will repay us.

Transformed service. Living as a servant of God means serving with the hope of honoring Him, not rising in others' estimation. This transforms our service:

• Unseen tasks: We cheerfully perform mundane or unnoticed tasks, like washing the coffee pot, knowing God sees.
• Service "fails": When our service goes wrong (e.g., raw chicken, ruined laundry), we can apologize and rest in our identity as beloved heirs of God, rather than falling into defensiveness.
• Joy in appreciation: While not fueling our service, moments of human appreciation become glimpses of the joy God takes in our efforts.
  Jesus, who gave up heaven's glory to serve us, was despised yet received His reward. We too can serve for our Master's joy and enter His great reward.

10. Worshiping the Creator: Our Purpose is to Proclaim God's Glory, Not Our Own, Shining His Light

The question is not whether you will worship, but rather what you will worship—your glorious Creator or something He created.

Self-worship. Our culture bombards us with messages to seek attention and build a name for ourselves, leading us to tirelessly craft personal ad campaigns. We are inclined to seek our own interests, using marriage, parenting, careers, and gifts for selfish gain, effectively becoming "billboards of self." This self-worship is idolatry, an attempt to eclipse God's glory and steal praise meant only for Him, making us false advertisers to a watching world.

True worship. We are created to be people of praise, but our worship is often misplaced on lesser things like products, entertainment, or even our own achievements. The writer of 1 Chronicles 16:29-30 calls us to "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness." Every breath, every intricate design of our being, and every act of kindness and mercy from God is an invitation to worship Him.

Proclamation people. Worship is not just an occasional act but a posture of life—an overflow of a heart filled with gratitude and praise for the King. This posture can happen anywhere, through acts like meeting with God in His Word, speaking kindly, forgiving, or serving others. As followers of Christ, we are called to be "proclamation people," reflecting God's glory and proclaiming His excellencies to a dark world. Our transformed lives become a living testament to the Spirit's work, exalting Jesus rather than ourselves, and drawing others to the only One truly worthy of worship.

11. Citizens Longing for Home: This World is Not Our Ultimate Home; We Await Our Eternal Dwelling with God

Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world.

The human ache for home. The longing for home is a universal human ache, a desire for comfort, safety, belonging, and unconditional love, to be settled and sheltered from impermanence. We often try to satisfy this longing with temporary earthly things like marriage, motherhood, or material possessions, which, while good gifts, are ultimately "gifts with expiration dates" that leave us restless for a lasting home.

God's promise of home. Scripture reveals that God is the true source of this longing. God's "rest" in creation was an act of enthronement, making earth a home for both Himself and humanity. Though sin forfeited this original home, God's story is one of continually bringing His people home—from Abraham to Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Jesus, the "final temple," embodied God's desire to share a home with His people, promising welcome to all prodigals.

Our true country. This world is not our ultimate home; we are "citizens" of heaven, longing for our true country. Our earthly experiences of home are merely "appetizers of the coming feast," meant to arouse our desire for the "real thing." As C.S. Lewis noted, earthly pleasures are meant to suggest, not satisfy, our deepest longings. Our identity as citizens of heaven means we live with an eager anticipation for the new heavens and new earth, where God will dwell with His people, and all tears, death, mourning, crying, and pain will be no more.