Identity in Christ
What do you want to be when you grow up?” It was a universally asked question when I was just a little kid. It still gets asked of children, but it may be considered a bit less politically correct to inquire of such things today. Our currently confused culture has certain views and values concerning the choice of options about what one “wants to be,” making it a potentially loaded question. Whatever one’s interpretation of the question, it has to do with identity.
Over the weekend, I was watching my 3-year-old granddaughter dance around my eldest daughter’s living room. She gleefully performed as her Auntie Eeaah (Elise) sang “Let it Go,” the theme from “Frozen,” the exceedingly popular Disney animated feature film. Little Irelin was singing along and doing her best imitation of Elsa, the fictional lead character. Seemingly oblivious to the many adults in the room marveling at her spontaneous rendition, for those moments, she was lost in the character; she was Elsa. Kids are good at that, unself-consciously taking on the identity of their heroes and heroines.
Christians are called in scripture to find their identity in Christ, the ultimate hero. We are exhorted to “put on” Christ: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Romans 13:14). Like a child, putting on a Superman or Wonder Woman costume, temporarily becomes that superhero, similarly we practice putting on Christ to the point where our identity is truly reflective of Him. In fact, one could say that the believer’s walk is “a put-on.”
Eventually, we all take on an overriding identity. Average adults likely have several identities. These are based on varied roles they play. And much like when we were children, our primary identities are still greatly influenced by those we choose to emulate, whether consciously or not. There may be many factors involved, but ultimately, we choose our identity.
In Colossians 3:12-14, we are called to “put on” compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience and love, among other things. These comprise the “costume” or clothing that help us to both take on and convey our identity in Christ. Before you start thinking that this interpretation of the concept of “putting on Christ” is absurd or simplistic, there is a basic human response to wearing certain kinds of clothing, like a uniform. Whether it be in law enforcement, the military, the clergy or a number of other adult endeavors where the clothing is part of the role, it helps the individual take on and convey what the uniform, or other special attire, represents. Putting on qualities of our identity in Christ produces an even more powerful effect, being a combination of internal, external and spiritual in nature.
We see in many places in the New Testament where the reality of our identity in Christ is forged in a process of imitating Him, dressing ourselves like Him. Don’t run out and buy a robe and sandals, but be about becoming a reflection of Jesus that makes obvious the One whom you are imitating.
The metaphors in the New Testament follow a theme of Christ being the first, the most powerful, the holiest. He is the “firstfruits,” the “firstborn,” and we smaller versions are empowered only by His Spirit and holy only through what He has done. We are His bodily representatives on earth. He is the “living stone which has been rejected by men” and we are “also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5). We are to be “little Christs,” the basis of the term “Christians,” which was first used by the Greeks and Romans to designate followers of Jesus. The pagans meant it to be derogatory, but it was embraced by believers not ashamed to identify with Jesus.
So, as a celebrity might be asked at an awards show on the runway: “Who are you wearing?” we have a choice every day as to what, or who, we will put on. It is best to begin thinking about it from the moment we rise in the morning. But we don’t take Him off. We should always work at becoming better at putting Him on. Progressively, people should see more of Him and less of us.
“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” —1 Corinthians 11:1