One of the most devastating crimes of this century is identity theft, where a criminal assumes the identity of a victim to rob that person of money or property. Yet as bad as this crime is, it cannot be compared to the spiritual identity theft that is running rampant in the world around us. The enemy is hard at work to steal your identity because he understands that when you truly know who you are in Christ and who Christ is in you, you will become unstoppable.
Many people go through life without ever fully understanding who they are—but you were created to know God and to live your life for His glory. That is the foundation of true identity.
Before we come to Christ, our identity is a mixture of our past, our passions, and our pride. But when we come to Jesus and receive His forgiveness, we become sons and daughters of God. We are not simply numbers on a divine spreadsheet; we are literally beloved of God. The Bible says that every hair on our heads is numbered. If not even a sparrow can fall to the ground without our Father knowing it—how much more precious are we?
Once God has redeemed us to Himself through our faith in Jesus, we become a new creation. We have a brand new identity. We are no longer lost and drifting in this world; we are members of God’s family and made completely new in Him.
Every aspect of our being—our DNA, our design, our history, our heritage, our destiny orientation, our spiritual gifts, our motivations—are all part of our new identity in Christ. All of these things work together to make each of us a unique representative of God’s purposes on the earth.
DNA and Design: Psalms 139:15-16
God knows what He is doing. He is an amazing and very detailed Creator. Seven billion people exist on the earth right now, and not one of us has an identical fingerprint, iris pattern, or voice print. Every one of us is entirely unique from the very start.
David put it like this in Psalm 139:15–16:
“15 My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”
God is involved in the conception and formation of every child, and He is always working to erase the curse and replace it with a blessing.
In the same way that He wove you together in your mother’s womb, He was also present with you during the circumstances of your early life. He knew the strengths and weaknesses of your parents, and He has been present throughout your life to work “all things together for good.” All the challenges, pains, and blessings of your particular childhood could never separate you from His love. Even before you knew Him, He knew you, and His desire was to establish a good future and a foundation of hope in your life.
One way we begin to walk in hope is by realizing that God thinks good thoughts toward every person, even the most depraved and sinful. He loves the broken no less than those who are trying their best to be good. His love is pervasive and covers the world, and you are not somehow held separate from that love. He promises to be faithful to complete the good work He began in you (Phil. 1:6).
You Are not a Victim, but a Victor
In Christ, you are not a victim of identity theft. Jesus has served justice on your behalf on the cross and by His resurrection. He created you to love Him and to fulfill His plan for your life!
As you go on with your week, remember who Jesus says you are. You have destiny. You have purpose. You are a world-changer. You are loved by God unconditionally. Your identity is safely secure in Jesus. He is the ultimate identity fraud protection plan.