Have you ever heard the story of Sanctus, an early Christian martyr who was able to handle torture better than James Bond? Eusebius records the story:
One of the topics I am passionate about is identity formation. Our modern world puts so much emphasis on discovering identity that it almost becomes laughable. Common wisdom says that people need to look inward to find themselves. We see this in everyday slogans like:
- “Follow your heart!”
- “If it feels right, do it!”
- “Be true to yourself!”
This idea leads many people into constant introspection and the endless pursuit of identity formation. By contrast, the world of the bible was “not psychologically minded but rather anti-introspective.” [2]Bruce J. Malina, Portraits of Paul: An Archaeology of Ancient Personality (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996), 156
Instead of looking inward for purpose and identity, the ancient person looked outward, finding identity and fulfillment in relationship. A Bible scholar named Malina describes this contrast well in his book Portraits of Paul:
Anyone who deeply imbibes the biblical worldview knows that our identity comes not from within, but from the one who calls us by name and who knew us before we were born. Ravi Zacharias appeals to this idea in his book The Grand Weaver: How God Shapes Us through the Events of Our Lives:
But how do we get to a place where we are sure of our identity in Christ? The first step is acknowledging that you are not your own. It is learning to receive your life as gift. As Paul said, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor. 4:7) Believe that God made you the way that you are for a reason, and that everything about you, including your gender, your parents, your natural abilities, and your life experiences are things he can use for his glory. Learning to accept that God is the Grand Weaver behind our lives is not easy to do, but trusting in something greater than ourselves is the only way to find identity that doesn’t come from within.
As Os Guiness says in his book The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life:
I know this isn’t easy to do, but if we can take Paul seriously, contentment comes from finding identity in Christ alone. Paul himself brags that he has learned the “secret of contentment, in each and every situation” (Phil. 4:12). Can we get there too? Take comfort because the next verse says that we “can do everything through Christ” (Phil 4:13). Here’s some advice to help you keep focusing on Christ, from Robert Murray McCheyne:
Recommended Books:
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Insightful article Josh…states the Truth in love and should set each and everyone free if they truly receive the message of Jesus Christ
Thanks Sherry Agar! I appreciate that encouragement.