Pine Cove - Part 2

Finding identity solely in the gospel

This summer one of the focuses of our ministry was speaking identity into these 6^th and 7^th graders. We wanted them to know who God says that they are and to put off what the world tells them that they are. One interesting thing that myself and other counselors noticed was that we as counselors were learning more and getting more out of camp than almost all of the kids were. We were being paid to teach these kids lessons on identity and the great commission, when in fact we were the ones being grown and taught by the Spirit.

Identity was something that we preached to these kids all summer, but I think many of us college kids were asking the same questions that our Middle School kids were asking. Who am I? What am I here for? What do others think about me? Why have I been made this way? It was ironic that we were imploring our kids to find their identity solely in the gospel and what Jesus did for us on the cross, when in fact we were still wrestling with this challenge.

The truth that we spoke into these kids this summer was that their identity should not be founded in their circle of friends, their talents, or their family but solely in the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ultimately it will not matter who our friends were, how cool our jeans were, how athletic or unathletic we were, or how smart we were, but who we are in the eyes of God. If we are sons and daughters of God, then we are His workmanship or masterpiece. (Eph. 2:10)

Identity is still something that I am learning about, even in Midland, Texas. I have gotten to see many grown men in the oil business infatuated with their stuff, their success in the industry, and their stature in society. These men, some even claiming to be Christians, are finding their identity in their things and not in who God says they are. Based on the Word of God (specifically Luke 12:15-21, Matt. 6:19-24, Matt. 28:16-20, etc.), our lives are to be about much more than filling our barns and building more barns with stuff. We, as God’s children, are to be about spreading His gospel. Our identity is not founded in who we are dating (or married to), our career, our success, our failures, our shortfalls, our beauty, or anything else. To quote the great Christian rapper Lecrae, “Our identity is found in the God we trust, any other identity will self destruct. Our identity is found in our godliness, any other identity will self destruct.”

The first week of camp, I was on work crew and had some personal time, unlike the rest of the summer. One morning in my journal, I asked God a question, then opened His word, and wrote down the answer to that question.

7/09 – “I ask You God, who am I? Redeemed child. Incomplete, but still a workmanship. A man of God chosen to do good works. Steward of the talents, time and possessions He’s given me. A servant of the Most High. A friend of the groom, excited to see His return. Small but not meaningless. Once in debt to my sins, but in right standing with the Judge. An heir of my Father, owning everything. Not a slave, but a son. Known by God. Was guilty and condemned, but now innocent and forgiven. Fruit bearer. God glorifier/exalter/praiser. Was a worker of evil, but now on the straight and narrow path.”

God’s Word is filled with Scripture describing who we are as Saints and who He is as King. All I did that morning was read a few chapters to write out those answers. I encourage you to dig into His Word to see who God says you are. Do not let culture try to define you. Do not find your identity in anything less than the cross of our Savior King Jesus Christ.

“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”     - Galatians 6:14

“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”           - 1 Cor. 2:2