Understanding the Importance of the Order of Things | Part Eight
At the risk of over repetition, we are discussing the importance of the order of things.
The point I want to restate this week is that when we are “In Christ” we are secured people who are free to love and serve Him and others.
There is a critical concern at the heart of many “issues” in the lives of our young people – identity.
There are basically only two main views of identity: A given identity or an earned identity. We must get the identity foundations in the correct order.
Society offers a number of earned identity options. Let’s consider three of the most common.
“We are our performance.” This is identity through what we can do. In this view, our busyness and activity, especially our “successes”, are major identity determinants.
Society asks us “What do you want to be?” As Christian educators we should ask “Who do you want to be?” Do you want to be loving, gentle, faithful, committed, compassionate…?[1]
This “performance” view of identity suggests that we are our contribution, or value added-ness. We can therefore be unwanted when we are not useful or valued. The young, the sick, the old, the unborn, those with disability… may be equated with useless or worn-out products. A culture of disposability will reign.
“We are our history.” This is identity formed by our backgrounds. Our family life, social connections, ethnic origins locate us within a certain community and entitle us to certain benefits.
“We are our passions.” This is identity through desire – we can do anything we set our minds to; our “felt truth” is what is important. Sexual desire and choice can be our identity. “I identify as…” becomes the catch cry.
“You will be like God.”[2] Satan’s first temptation was really a temptation to define our identity on our own terms. He was saying: “Do this and be like God. Take matters into your own hands and form your identity for yourself.”
But when we are redeemed and restored in Jesus Christ, we are made new. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come”[3]. Now, “being in Christ” is what defines us. Our identity is given to us.
Our performance, our history, our passions can now take their important place under the Lordship of Christ.
Blessings
Brian
How do we communicate, and affirm, where secure identity may be found so that other important aspects of life can be placed in the right perspective?
[1] Acknowledgement to the CEN website
[2] Genesis 3:5
[3] 2 Corinthians 5:17