Life on Mission Sýnishorn

Identity in Christ

A heart for missions puts your identity as a Christian first. You are a believer before anything else. Why do you think God wants you to give the firstfruits of your income? Because it speaks of your identity. You are a believer first before you are an employer or employee. You are a believer first before you are a spouse, parent, or friend. 

We all have roles in life. They are part of our identity. We also have hobbies that can identify us in some form. But when our hearts are for Christ and the gospel, our identity as believers tops every other one. If you’re in the mission field in Cambodia, nobody cares about your really good job in America. 

Your number one identity is Christ. Your age does not even matter. You could be a young student who has a heart for God yet finds it difficult to put the “cool” identity aside to shine with your identity in Christ. It may be a battle to choose not to give in to things other students are doing. Adults have the same struggle. We can feel like our titles are who we are. We can struggle to prioritize our identity in Christ because of what our coworkers may say. It is not about putting your identity in Christ at the end of all the other roles, but the total opposite. You’re a believer first and foremost. 

What happens when we choose to put our identity in Christ at the end? It becomes one of fear. You begin to not want to say you are a Christian, afraid of how it could affect the way others see you. You become afraid that you will not be respected in the office anymore, afraid it will mess with your cool status. 

I spent a couple of years of my high school experience saying, “I’m a this and that” and I wasn’t even good of being “this and that,” yet I would hide the Christian part of me. Eventually, I began to just say I was a Christian, and it built my confidence in Christ. 

Let your primary identity be that you love Jesus Christ. If someone does not like that you are a Christian, then they were not your true friend anyway and you have an opportunity to minister to them. Reach others through love—God’s love.