QUEST Fall Semester 2011 Entry #25: "IDENTITY: Who Do You Think You Are?"

This past Friday, I had the opportunity to share on the topic of IDENTITY: WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? The issue of identity is a struggle for most of us, but particularly for college students and young adults. With the demands and pressures to succeed and to know your next step, it can be daunting to figure out who you are and where you are going in life. Before we find our identity in our career path and the greater society, discovering our identity in Christ is pivotal; it bleeds into every thing that we do.

Ephesians 4:22-24 says this:

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Too often, young adults like you are told to stop sinning, stop compromising, stop acting a fool...stop, stop, stop. Although it may be said in love, the "stop" instructions are not single-handedly helping anyone to grow. It's like a stop light. As the driver, you understand that when the light is red, you should stop. But, there is a time when the light will turn green and you have to go. In the context of this scripture, it is not just stopping and putting off your old self. But, it is also proceeding to put on the new self. This new self is not about what others want or desire you to be; it is to be more and more like Christ.

Your identity in Christ is marked by your life of righteousness and holiness. In other words, being right before God and living a blameless life is a sign that you have identified yourself with Christ. Being right before God does not mean perfection. It means living a life of character and integrity. If you mess up, you own up to it and with the help of God, repent and change according to what the Scriptures say about you. You have already been forgiven on the Cross, but it is accepting this forgiveness and turning to God daily!

At the last Young Adults Live, each participant stood up tall and read a portion of scripture identifying who they are in Christ. It was a sight to behold! Rather than being identified by culture, young adults proclaimed their identity in the Christ they serve and who loves them.

I remember hearing a story by gospel artist Vickie Winans many years ago. She mentioned she was in an elevator and overheard someone say, "That Vickie, she thinks she is all 'dat!" Vickie responded, "I know that I am all 'dat!" At first glance, this response may seem arrogant and self-serving. But, look deeper. If you don't know you are all that, you will have a world defining who you are. Who do you think you are?



Blog Entry by:
Ryan Faison (QUEST/YAM Director)