Our society has determined that identity is everything ... or ... nothing. That is, we are whatever we identify as. Sort of. I mean, I can't identify as a 7-foot tall black female or anything like it. But I can identify as a female, and you'd better knuckle under on that. I told my doctor I identify as "slender" and she laughed. Hey! I said the magic words! But identity has always been important. We're Americans (or whatever country) or we're white (or whatever manufactured "race" you want to use) and so on. You understand. And then we go the next step. "This" identity is better. Yours ... not so much.
It's interesting, then, when Paul offers his "identity." He's a "Hebrew of Hebrews" (Php 3:5), "foremost" among sinners (1 Tim 1:15), an Apostle of Christ (Gal 1:1; Eph 1:1; Col 1:1), a bond-servant (or slave) of Christ (Rom 1:1; Php 1:1; Titus 1:1), and ... crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20; Gal 6:14). Crucified? In Paul's day, crucifixion was the worst of the worst, which is why the cross was such an offense (1 Cor 1:18). And Paul took it as his identity. Indeed, his boast.
Identity is important. Jesus became a "bond-servant" (Php 2:7). Jude was a "bond-servant of Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:1). What's our identity? Proud? Nationalistic? Racial? A list of accomplishments? Or "a servant of Christ," crucified with Him, and nothing to brag about on our own?
2 comments:
I think the problem today isn't that people identify as things, but it is that they identify as things they are not. Even before our day of identity politics, Jesus warned that false identity was going to happen, when He warned that there would be those that identify as followers of Christ, but He would deny ever knowing them. Identity is important, but having an accurate identity is the only way it can be meaningful.
This modern-day practice of “identifying” as someone/something we are not is really taking “creative visualization” way too far. It’s bad enough when a person is ruled by their wishful thinking, but when they force their fantasy upon others, it’s simply dilutional. However, for Christians, seeing ourselves as we really are--as God has proclaimed it to be--is essential for profitable functioning in this life. I have a book on my bookshelf that addresses the Christian’s true identity in Christ: John MacArthur’s Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identify in Christ. The book clarifies that our true identity is not just a “bond-servant” but a “slave.” I know you have posted about the proper understanding of doulos several times in the past (so I won’t repeat any of that); it certainly bears remembering, even as we Americans tout our many freedoms.
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