Identity – Claiming it in what? Jesus or the World?

Claiming Identity
Pastor Calvin Cook
September 5, 2025
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone the new is here!”

I’m teetering in my thoughts this morning between dealing with discouragement as well as thoughts about what or who we are claiming our identity in. What is mirrored in our life?

Some time ago I had a discussion with someone who was struggling with their adult child. Their child, who was an outstanding athlete, great student, well liked, popular and had many friends found themselves in a very difficult place in life. The Parent said they couldn’t understand why. I asked where their child was in their faith. The conversation shifted to silence. There was no faith to speak of, being a part of a faith community was replaced by activities. Now that which the person trusted the most in and was absorbed by was gone and nothing remained.

I was reminded of the young man I met in a Dollar Store who was short a few cents to purchase a necessity because someone had shortchanged him. Reminded of the person who recently wrote a note thanking Gail and I for being friends when everyone else seemed cruel. Thought about the empty faces and hearts we see all around us because of their status, where they came from, the things of their past, beginning to look at them as creations in Christ.

I believe this summarizes the need for Jesus. The offering of Jesus first. We should not engage with people because of who they are as a popular person, athlete, wealthy, a person who seemingly has it all together. Instead of who they are in Christ Jesus. The greater thought should be what are we claiming our identity in?

Often who we desire to be and who we are at two points on the scale. But who we are in Christ Jesus become the most important. Who we are as a follower of Jesus is better than anything else. That is where our identity needs to be. And…… it needs to be seen by others.

This morning, remember through the confession of sins, accepting Jesus as Savior, embracing redemption, and allowing the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is more than enough. It is more than anything the world can give or do for us. It is that realization that when our identity is in Jesus that we have been made new, a new creation, the old is gone, and the new is here!

A few final thoughts:

Can we quit looking at others for who or what they have achieved as what the world offers and begin looking at them as creations of the living God with a purpose.

Parents can you begin to look at your children not as victors in things of a fallen world but be reminded they are a creation of God entrusted to your care and direction to know, see, and experience Christ by and through your example.

Married couples can our marriages begin to reflect our love as a three-cord strand that we became, braided together at our wedding.

Church, can we become like the early church to desire to share, mentor and shape others in the form of who Jesus is. Can we choose leaders based on their identity in Christ and how we see the Spirit working in them.

I know you might be saying this is all impossible – is it really?

Can we pray together for relationship, renewal, redemption, and revival!