Identity Crisis

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent me.  And the glory which You gave me I have given them, that they may be one just as we are one; I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and loved them as You have loved Me."
John 17: 20-23 NKJV

I'm a pretty big fan of police reality shows.  There's alot of excitement in the job law enforcement does, and I honor them for the job they do.  Watch some of these shows long enough and you'll notice a pattern.  When the officer pulls a person over for a violation, one of the first questions they will ask is to see the said persons identification and/or license.  There's a pretty solid reason for this.  The officer needs to know just who it is they're dealing with.  Is this person a felon?  Are they wanted in another state?  This isn't just for knowledge of the perpetrator, but for the officers own safety.  Interestingly enough, if the person they are questioning is hiding something, they'll often do everything in their power to hide their identity.  When this happens, the person will be detained until their true identity can be established.  So, a persons identity is mighty important in this situation obviously.
What would happen if we lost our identity?  We've all heard stories of those who've had their identity stolen.  The process to clean up this mess can be astounding to say the least.  Of course, we're talking about our personal identity here.  We all know just who we are, or do we?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Sure, we all know our personal and family history, but who are we really?  In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we're told that those who have accepted Jesus now have a new identity.  For those who have chosen to live for Christ, we are a entirely new creation.  When Jesus shed his blood and died on the cross, he not only bore the sins of all mankind, but we died with him.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV

THIS is our true identity for those who have accepted Jesus.  It doesn't take a genius to understand that our earthly identity will eventually pass away.  All those things that once defined us, our habits, tendencies and personality will eventually fade away.  Perhaps even the memories others have of us will fade away also.  However, we can be assured that our identity in Christ will NEVER fade away, 2 Corinthians 5:17 assures us of that.  Whatever this world may throw our way, we can be assured that it is NOT our earthly bodies that define us, but our eternal identity in Jesus.

~Scott~