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So, what is it that defines you?
If someone were to ask you that question, what would your response be? What identifies you as you? Individual characteristic? The group(s) you belong to? The views you hold on politics or world events? The things that make you distinct from everyone else, or the things that you share with everyone else? Some combination of the above? It's a complicated question.
In reality, it is probably a combination of all of those things that help contribute toward who we are and how others experience us as they relate to us. So maybe a better way to ask the question is what is it at the core of who we are that defines us and influences all others other things that are expressions of who we are at the core? Maybe it has more to do with the kind of person we are than the various ways we might describe the unique ways that person expresses themselves?
When you think about it, most of the people we are close to - who we consider to be really good friends - are our friends not because of some characteristic they have, or special bit of knowledge they possess, or some other "thing" about them, but because of the kind of people they are. What is sad is when relationships are damaged or destroyed (and sometimes the people along with them) when this is lost sight of.
In fact, bad things can happen when we begin to define ourselves primarily in terms of what makes us distinct (some special quality or contribution we have to make), instead of what makes us the same, in terms of what we have to share and the kind of people we are.
So, when God describes who we are . . . what is at the heart of our identity as His children, how does God do that? That's what Pastor Ken explores in the sermon this week. You are encouraged to reflect on the scripture passages to the right that may shed some light on that question, and perhaps reflect on some of the questions that follow them. You are also welcome to listen to the sermon again (or perhaps for the first time) by clicking here to access our sermon library.
Deuteronomy 7(TNIV)
6 For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. 7 The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery
1 Corinthians 13 (TNIV)
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
John 13 (TNIV)
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
“Many take it for granted that they are Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets. But they have not brought the truth into practical life. … Men may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors, and through their influence it is a curse to the world.”
Ellen White in Desire of Ages, 309-310
“There can be no more conclusive evidence that we possess the spirit of Satan than the disposition to hurt and to destroy those who do not appreciate our work, or who act contrary to our ideas”
Ellen White in Desire of Ages,487
Questions for reflection:
In what way might those who are passionate about the distinctive contributions of the faith community they embrace find helpful guidance in Paul's reflection on his own experience in Philippians 3:4-4:1?
What is the difference between allowing the "distinctive contributions" of our faith to shape who we are as Christians, and allowing who we are called to be as Christians to shape the distinctive contributions of our faith? Why does it matter how we answer that question?
What is it about the distinctive contribution of Christianity itself that, when taken seriously, keeps it from falling into the trap described in the questions above?
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