Acceptance and Identity

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. - Edward Mote

 

In Matt Chandler’s new book, Creature of the Word, he states

“Your approval before God is woven into the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, not what other men and women think about you. In fact, living your life trying to please them becomes a form of slavery.” (pg. 18)

In this section of the book he is discussing the idea of worship. He points out that our worship can become self-centered and focused on other objects other than Christ himself. Here is an interesting thought: in our worship we find our identity and acceptance. By worshipping Christ as the greatest treasure we find our place in Him. However many times we find our acceptance and identity in others or the things we do. Here are just a few ways we find our acceptance and identity in our Church culture.

Sources of Acceptance and Identity

 Sometimes we can focus on our jobs so much that we can find our identity in what we do. This actually correlates to our status. To see if this is true ask yourself this question: how do I introduce myself to others? If it begins with your title or the status you have acquired than you might want to examine and see if you find your identity is in your position. Your status, job, and position are important yet sometimes we can become so focused on those things that we may start worshipping those positions that God has graciously given us.

•Projects and Ministries. We are called to ministry. All of us actually. Ministry is a good thing! But many times ministry becomes our identity and a comfort zone for our acceptance. Ministry and the projects that we do can become our objects of worship! Maybe even to the point that people look at us for what we do and praise us for it. I know this is a warning for me.   

•Families and Spouses. I love my family and I love my wife. I’m sure you love your family and spouse as well. Yet there are times where I find my acceptance in my wife. I think sometimes we can become so family focused that our identity comes from our last name. This could lead to, as Matt states, slavery. If we become so focused on finding our worth, value, and identity in others we can become enslaved to those people. For example, if we attempt to find our acceptance in others, what happens when we fail them? Will they love us then? Will they accept us? I do think that there is a healthy acceptance that comes from our families but a misdirected acceptance can lead to discouragement and condemnation in the end, if we aren’t careful. Rick Warren once said “If we live for the approval of others, we will die by their rejection.”

I think the list can go on and it can change depending upon the person. However we mustn’t focus upon the warnings so much that we forget the encouragement.

Your Identity is in the Crucified, Risen, Reigning, and Returning Christ

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:1-3

Notice the phrase “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” The word “for” is a “preposition of reason”. The reason you set your minds on things above and not on things of the earth is because you have died with Christ and your life is hidden in Him. “Your life is hidden in Him” is a phrase speaking to the concept of an identification with Christ. Look at the first phrase “If then you have been raised with Christ”, this is a state of affirmation. The “if” is not a condition; it is better understood as “since”. So since then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above. To “seek the things of above” is not a seeking of a special or mysterious object. It is Christ Himself, the one who is reigning right now, “seated at the right hand of God.” Therefore, “when Christ appears” or returns, we will appear with Him fully (in glory) because we have identified ourselves with Him already in His death and resurrection.

Since we have been identified with the crucified and risen Christ we seek Him because He is reigning and when He returns we will fully find our life.

This text is pretty amazing! We look until Christ for our acceptance and identity. We mustn’t look until the objects that are placed in front of us, such as life, ministry, church, family, or jobs in order to find our worth or value (things of the earth). These things are gifts from God no doubt and should be viewed only as gifts. We must find our worth and value in the Crucified and Risen One who is reigning and returning. This is the True source of our acceptance and identity. For this is the application of the Gospel.