Last Saturday the NY Times posted an article about Columbus, OH’s pursuit to establish its image. It’s actually a really nice write-up about Columbus with mentions of several of the features that make this a great city. Nevertheless, the “City without a Pseudonym” finds itself having trouble communicating who exactly they are, so they’re in the middle of a six-year pursuit to answer the age-old question, “Who am I?” It’s a bit of an identity crisis to say the least.

For Christ-followers and churches alike understanding your identity is crucial. What are we finding our identity in? Are we the church that meets in a really cool building? Are we the trendy people? Does our involvement in local and global outreach define who we are? Maybe for pastors it’s about how well we teach? There’s a plethora of things we can find our identity in. Unfortunately, sometimes we get so wrapped up in those things rather than finding our identity in Christ. For instance: an American Christian, a gay Christian, a humanitarian Christian, a “green” Christian, a Buckeye Christian, etc. Those are cases of mistaken identity.

When we trust Christ we are given a new name and a new identity. In fact, we’re told multiple times in Scripture to put on our “new self.” Our identity is first and foremost in Christ. Any time we allow something to compete with that we are acting as though the Ruler over all creation didn’t die on a cross and then conquer death in order that we may be grafted into God’s family.

What are some things that compete for your identity?

What are tangible ways that you can live and act as though your identity is in Christ?