One of the greatest questions that would ever present itself to all human beings is the question, ‘Who am I’ ? and adjoining questions; ‘Where am I from’ ? and ‘What am I here to do’ ?
It is basically the question around Identity.
There are global businesses now tailored specifically around helping people to find their origin, their DNA? Who were my ancestors? Etc.
The question of identity has always been exploited by the devil, in Gen 3:1-4 he distorted the image of Adam and Eve’s identity in his question to Eve, ……’if you eat and disobey God, you will be like God’. That was a lie. They were created in the image, form and likeness of God. They were already like God and needed no help from the devil. Unfortunately Eve fell for this lie and as a results Adam also fell.
Likewise, in Matthew 4:3, 6, 8, the devil said to Jesus as part of His temptation, ‘if you are the son of God….’, Notice that God had just announced Jesus as His son in the preceding chapter (Matthew 3:17). We thank God, Jesus the second Adam was secured in Himself and did not fall for the trap.
There are many opportunities to muddle up the understanding of our identity due to other people’s opinion about us.
Remember Jesus asked His disciples, ‘who do people say that I am?’ Matthew 16:13-20. And they had all kinds of responses.
The only person that can give you an accurate description of who you are is your heavenly father, that’s the one we are all from.
Why is this important?
Gal 3:26-29
If you know who you are;
When you pray in the name of Jesus, you are speaking just like Jesus will speak with authority and it is as if Jesus himself is personally present making the declaration.
You will see yourself differently and accurately.
You will think differently – ‘As he thinks in his heart so is he’ Proverbs 23:7
You will pray differently. You will not be going around with your heads down in low self -esteem.
You will speak with authority and address your situations with Power.
You will approach God in the name of Jesus and know you are welcome in God’s presence.
Anytime you pray or speak going forward, pray with understanding and know that your prayers are heard and answered.
I will like to reiterate two important points of truth about your identity.
- You are from God and you will never be without God, whether on earth or in heaven.
As a child of God and irrespective of your country, tongue or the color of your skin. Your identity should never be in doubt. You are a child of God. You have God’s DNA. You are from God and you will never be without God, whether on earth or in heaven.
Ephesians 1:4-5, 1 John 4:4
All Jesus’s ministry on earth was to reconcile man back unto God and restore our true identity back unto us. You are made in the same image as God, we are Jesus’ brothers and Sisters and in the spirit, we all look like Jesus (1 John 4:17).
2. You are uniquely created.
Even though we are all from God. We are all created individually, differently and each with a role.
We are all different and we have our own distinctive endowments – gifting, fingerprints- , you have your footprint and your own journey in life.
We have our unique journeys and destinies.
You were wonderfully and fearfully made. Psalm 139:13-14.
That means God had some deep thinking – as it were – before creating you – fit for purpose.
We are all Individuals made uniquely with unique designs.
What you need right now is deep understanding of yourself, your composition and your role in life and in the body of Jesus.
We live in a society steeped in competition. People are always rating others in comparison with other people. Who is first and who is second?
I am amazed at how believers feel so insecure comparing themselves with other believers. You are blessed until someone else with a more shining testimony or more visible gifts appears, then you become uncomfortable.
You are never good at appreciating what you have but you are quick at appreciating what others have. Comparing yourself with someone else, measuring your progress with someone else’s is not the way to go. 2 Cor. 10:12, 18.
Until you know your role and begin to love and appreciate who you are, you will never be able to settle, fulfill your purpose and do great things for God.
Until you know your role, you will never be able to play it effectively.
God is the writer of the script and He gave everyone their roles.
Stick to the script and play your own role.
Stop comparing yourself with others.
Break free from the hold of competition, which leads to bitterness, envy, jealousy and all other negative emotions.
John the Baptist clearly stated – I know who I am, I am not the Messiah– John 1:19-32
When you know who you are,
You will see yourself differently and accurately.
‘For you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free..’ John 8:32.
That is my prayer for you today:
That you will come into the fullness of being a son or daughter of God (John 8:35), and like Paul prayed you will know the breadth, the depth and the height of God’s love for you (Ephesians 3:17-17).
Ephesians 1:17-19(TLB)
I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you wisdom to see clearly and really understand who Christ is and all that he has done for you. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you to share. I want you to realize that God has been made rich because we who are Christ’s have been given to him! 19 I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe him.
Shalom!
Olaolu Oyeyemi.