Identity is given by God and thus received, not achieved. From identity we get purpose.
Genesis 1:26-31
Let us make man in our image
Be fruitful and multiply
Fill the earth and subdue it
Let him rule over every living thing
God had given them all the needed to live in Eden, and His presence walked with them. Sample size of life without sin is small. So we must go to the statements before sin entered to discern God’s original purpose.
God said the creation of man and woman in His image was very good. (Gen 1:31)
So how is this “very good” nature of God’s order reflected in the new Covenant? Through the purpose of the Son, whose death and resurrection is the way back to the inheritance of Eden. God gave His Son an identity, Son of Man, and a purpose, to redeem and restore us.
Jesus became man, was tired as we are tired, was tempted.
We must respond as He responded to the enemy. Peter says He left us an example, that we should follow in His steps.
My true identity is found in His story. It’s the same with Jesus
Matt 3:17 and Luke 3:22 both say at Jesus’ baptism, a voice from heaven sounds, saying “you are my son, whom I love. With you I am well pleased.”
Why is God pleased with Jesus?
Jesus has not walked on water, cast out a demon, healed anyone, turned water to wine, fed 5000, or gone to the cross yet.
Jesus’ purpose was given before world was formed!
1 Peter 1:20
“For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you.”
Revelation 13:8 NLT
“And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made.”
What is our identity? Members of His kingdom, ambassadors, saints, kings and priests, sons and daughters of His house.
Because He made us, in His image, we were born in the mind of God.
Psalm 139:16
“Your eyes have seen my formless substance; And in Your book were written All the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.”
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
And we’ve been brought into the blessings of Christ, and into the family of the Son.
Colossians 1:13
“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.”
Our purpose can only be found in our life in Christ, which means it comes from our identity as new creations.
Picture courtesy of the Jesus Film. https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jesus.html/baptism-of-jesus-by-john/english.html
