Our Identity

1. Everyone goes through the teenage period—it's a shared experience for all of us as humans. Some faced challenges during this time, like myself, while others sailed through it smoothly. Regardless of the nature of their teenage years, everyone grapples with the task of forming and understanding their identity. A crucial aspect to comprehend this teenage phase is the concept of peer group pressure. Peer group pressure refers to the influence exerted within a circle of friends. For instance, if a prominent friend in the group buys something, others tend to follow suit. Those who don't conform might find it difficult to stay within the group.

Teenagers often use this peer group pressure as a means to affirm and shape their identity. I highlighted peer group pressure because it's a universal way people, whether believers or not, attempt to discover their identity as they grow older.

2. If having the right identity is crucial for humans, we must ask: How can we attain a correct identity, or how can we recognize our true identity? In today's sermon, particularly focusing on Ephesians 5:1-20, I aim to explore how we can confirm our identity in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:1–2 NKJV

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

3. Ephesians was authored by Paul, who was both an apostle and a servant of Jesus Christ, around AD 60 to 110. Some scholars argue it was written before AD 70 when Jews were expelled from Palestine, while others suggest it was composed after AD 70 due to the persecution mentioned in Acts 8, indicating the dispersion of Jews from the region. The exact dating of Ephesians is not crucial for our current discussion. What is clear is that Paul wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus, located in present-day Turkey. Notably, Paul consistently emphasizes his identity in the initial portions of his letters.

Ephesians 1:1 (NKJV)

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

1 Corinthians 1:1 NLT

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Sosthenes.

Philippians 1:1 (NIV)

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

Romans 1:1 NASB 2020

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

4. In the historical context from AD 60 to AD 110, both Jews and Christians faced persecution. Many Christians, under this pressure, left their faith communities and changed their beliefs. Unlike today where choosing a religion is a personal decision, in the first century, having a religion was common, and affirming one's faith was a way of displaying identity in society. Belonging to a religious community held great importance during this time. However, due to persecution, followers of Jesus, who were initially strong in their identity, faced challenges. They either lost their identity or altered it to escape persecution. In cities like Rome, where public Christian meetings were restricted, churches began losing their distinctive identity in Jesus. They resorted to hiding and refrained from public expressions of faith, such as singing and openly confessing their beliefs. This situation impacted the minds and hearts of believers. Recognizing this, Paul felt the need to awaken them through his letter. He wanted them to understand that their identity was not determined by their circumstances but by God and their connection with Jesus Christ. It wasn't about external behaviors but the internal motivation rooted in the love of God.

5. So, our journey as Christians begins when we embrace a new identity in Christ through faith in Jesus. This is why Paul encourages us to imitate God, as we have been adopted. God predestined us in Jesus and welcomed us into His family as His children.

Ephesians 1:5 NKJV

having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

6. Certainly, due to Jesus Christ, we have been cleansed, set apart, and declared righteous.

1 Corinthians 6:11 NLT

Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

7. When Paul refers to these three terms, he isn't suggesting that we are now in a state of perfection. Even though we have become children of God, we still grapple with our sinful nature. This is why we face struggles with our old selves while simultaneously having a new identity in Jesus. However, what's crucial is that through our new identity in Jesus, we come to acknowledge our sinful nature. We realize that our actions alone couldn't achieve the cleansing, sanctification, and justification; it is through our connection with Jesus.

8. When we understand that we were sinners, we also recognize the need for God's grace to free us from our sins. Sin serves as a reminder of God's grace – it shows us how God cleansed, set us apart, and declared us righteous through Jesus. This grace is a gift. However, acknowledging God's grace is not the end of the Christian journey. The Bible doesn't conclude here. Our salvation isn't a static state; it's not just about staying in the saving grace.

Romans 5:20–21 NLT

God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:1–3 NASB 2020

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? Far from it! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?

9. Now, Paul encourages those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior to imitate God, given that they've been adopted through God's grace. He isn't talking about modifying sinful behavior to achieve holiness. Instead, he uses a bold term – to imitate God. This raises the question of how we can effectively be good imitators. While it may not be a perfect example, consider the movie "Catch Me If You Can," based on a true story.

10. The movie tells the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, who successfully performed cons and frauds as a skilled forger and impostor. He assumes various identities, including a Pan American World Airways pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer, while constantly eluding the pursuit of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, played by Tom Hanks. The film explores themes of deception, identity, and the cat-and-mouse game between the young con artist and the determined FBI agent.

11. As I watched the movie, one aspect that struck me was how the main character truly believed he was a genuine pilot, doctor, and more. Though not a perfect analogy, it highlights the central idea: accepting and believing a new identity as the true one. When Paul discusses our new identity, he acknowledges our sinful nature in Romans 3, 5, 6, and 7. However, he aims to emphasize to Christians that they should recognize their new identity and live their lives according to it. This new identity is found in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

12. To become an imitator of God, we need to believe in our new identity in Christ and live our lives as if we are following in Jesus' footsteps. If we continue to see ourselves as sinners, our focus will remain on trying to change our sinful nature. Consequently, our lives will revolve around modifying our sins until we reach heaven. However, our true calling, as Paul emphasizes, is not merely about changing our sinful behavior with God's grace. Our calling is to walk in love, light, and wisdom, guided by the help of the Spirit.

Colossians 3:1–3 NIV

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

13. So, when Paul talks about "walking in love," he means recognizing God and His love through Jesus Christ in our lives. We walk with God, embracing our new identity in Christ because God is love. When we examine our situation and behavior, it's clear that we often fall short and make mistakes. Our actions and thoughts don't always align with what God expects. However, as I mentioned earlier, the Bible instructs us that we undergo a transformation when we place our faith in Jesus. So, how do we bridge the gap between our new selves and our old ways? How can we model ourselves after God? The guidance and perspective provided by Jesus in Mark 11:24 about prayer and faith are certainly key principles for us to follow.

Mark 11:24 NLT

I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

14. Jesus emphasized the importance of believing when you pray. This means that when God declares your sins forgiven, you should have faith and believe in that forgiveness. It's not solely about our moral state but rather adopting a new mindset centered on God. With this fresh perspective, we can embark on a life guided by, immersed in, and sustained by God on Earth, enabling us to combat our previous ways.

15. Despite being a personal and challenging chapter in my life, I'd like to share my story as an illustration of being an imitator. I smoked from the age of 12 to 22, indulging in three packs of cigarettes daily for a decade. It was a destructive habit, and I lacked awareness during that time. However, when I encountered Jesus Christ, my desire to delve into the teachings of God and Jesus grew. Upon reflecting on my daily routine, I realized that smoking consumed a significant portion of my time. Calculating the minutes spent on smoking (5 minutes per cigarette, 20 cigarettes per pack), it amounted to nearly 300 minutes per day. Recognizing the potential to redirect this time towards studying the Bible, I decided to quit smoking. Quitting proved to be a formidable challenge, but as I immersed myself in the Bible, particularly focusing on Ephesians 5:1 and Mark 11:24, I found guidance from God. The key revelation was to believe that God had already made me to quit smoking, allowing me to embrace a smoke-free life moving forward. I believed I became a non-smoker from that time.

16. I haven't smoked since then, and it's been over 23 years now. The turning point came when I shifted my focus. Instead of attempting to modify my smoking habit, which didn't work, I started believing that I was a non-smoker. Counting the days without smoking while still thinking about cigarettes led to failure. This experience gave me valuable insights into imitating God. To successfully quit smoking, one must begin by believing in the identity of a non-smoker. Similarly, to be true imitators of God, we need to accept that we are God's children. Embracing this identity means acknowledging that our lives are meant to be free from sin. On the contrary, considering ourselves as sinners keeps us fixated on trying to modify our sinful behavior. This approach makes us focus on our sins, not God, while attempting to change, akin to how I counted the days without smoking. Our Christian journey isn't solely about obsessing over correcting our sinful behavior. Achieving perfect behavior change on Earth is impossible. However, we can embark on a life in Jesus, striving to be imitators of God. With the assistance of the Holy Spirit, we can emulate God's ways, thoughts, and actions in our lives.

17.Living in love isn't a distant goal; it's something we should begin immediately because God has granted us a new identity and life through Jesus. Despite our inherent inclination towards sin, the focus shouldn't be solely on altering sinful behavior. Instead, we should consistently embrace our new identity in Jesus and actively practice walking in love with the self God has given us. By doing so, we engage in a meaningful battle against sin, remembering that we are God's children, adopted through His grace. It becomes our responsibility to constantly bear in mind this truth and to walk in love, following the example set by our Lord, Jesus.