Last week we introduced a couple of ideas. One, we talked about how identity and worship intertwine, and two, we discussed how the world defines identity.
Overall this month, we’re venturing into the idea that we must have a proper understanding of our identity in Christ to effectively worship Christ.
Let’s note one thing though: we can worship God even if we may not have a proper understanding of our identity in Christ. There’s something pure and beautiful about a completely broken human worshipping a wonderful God. However, the goal here is to enter into a worship that is deeper and more revelatory than a surface level worship experience.
Similar to Paul’s notion that young believers are like infants who need milk while mature believers can eat solid foods (1 Cor. 3:1–4), understanding our identities in Christ better will lead us to a more mature form of worship.
In our last post, we noted that the world defines identity as “What can I get out of you.” It’s a selfish, lustful approach towards idols. We prop up many who we can take from. This means we take people’s beauty, or charisma, or riches and use that for our own desires and lusts.
A godly approach to identity is the opposite of this. Instead of the individual trying to “take” or receive from others, the one with a godly identity seeks to serve. A godly identity is what God believes about us. We just have to agree with God.
God “looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7) of man and not his beauty, athleticism, or charisma. The outward appearance is key in establishing a worldly identity. The inward reality is key to how God defines identity.
In short, God deals with identity through changing the heart of the individual. One who relied on exaltation from man now seeks exaltation from God. The only way this happens is through relationship with Christ and listening to the Holy Spirit. God is pure and sees right through our facades.
Take a moment now to ask the Holy Spirit for help in understanding who you are in Christ. This takes time and can be hard, but the results are beautiful.
