“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians Chapter 3 verses 2-3)
One of the battles we face as Christians is that of identity. Our identity most times is framed by the world and not by God’s word. I still struggle with my identity. I am faced everyday with situations that tend to ask me, “who are you?” I would love to say I have been a mighty ambassador of heaven but walking in the reality of who I am in Christ has been a struggle.
How many times do we define our worth by the standards the world has set: I just got the latest phone; I got a nice job; I’m dating a pretty lady etc. It is very easy to slip into the delusion that our worth is measured by the material things we own or our social status. Therefore people go to great lengths to create fake identities on social media just to have a sense of worth.
The world vs the word
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” (1 John Chapter 3 verse 1)
How the world defines me and how God defines me often clash in my mind as I try to navigate through life. The constant crave to want to measure up to the latest standards the world has set but ever so often, the standards of the world are in opposition to that of God’s kingdom.
Several times, the Holy Spirit has drawn my attention to the truth that the world does not know me. My real identity is hidden in Christ. How can the world understand that the maker of the universe is my father? The carnal man can never perceive the reality of my sonship in Christ so why should I derive my worth from a system that cannot know me?
Inclusion in divinity
My sense of worth should come from the truth that I am a son of God. Have you taken some time to meditate on the reality of your co-inclusion in divinity? It’s the craziest thing ever! When we truly grasp our place in the realm of eternity, no amount of wealth or social status can compare to the bliss of being joint heirs with Christ.
No wonder, Apostle Paul was able to count all his worldly achievements as dung! He saw a kingdom without end, riches that do not perish, a king that cannot be dethroned and upon the revelation of being dead to this world and alive in Christ, he was able to labor even to the point of laying down his life for the gospel. He saw the reality of eternal things.
The disciples were able to raise disciples across cultures because they did not care about what people thought of them. They knew they were from another kingdom. The Holy Spirit once asked me, “do you live before the throne of men or before God’s throne?” It is not a question to answer but one to ponder on. Do I really care about how God sees me or how the world sees me?
Fixing my gaze on eternity
I have been in several situations where I am led to preach to someone but I am either ashamed or afraid. Yes, I still feel that way sometimes. I wish I could be more courageous and not care what anyone thinks! When it comes to approaching that one man or lady on the street, I still hold back sometimes. But what is it that I am ashamed or afraid of? Did my savior not hang naked on the cross for me. Why should I hold back when men are going to hell? Why should I care more about what men think of me than about what Christ thinks of me?
If truly, I am dead to this world, I will fear no man. Lord help me to fix my gaze on eternal things! Help me to see you and you alone! Help me to live only for the praise of heaven.
Rume Kpadamrophe is a graduate student at the University of South Carolina. Before leaving Nigeria, he mentored several youths in prophetic, intercession, and evangelism. He is a revivalist, a writer, a researcher, and an enthusiastic lover of revival history. He desires to see revival ignited and sustained in the nations of the earth. He currently serves as the president of The Carolina Church, a campus ministry at the University of South Carolina.Rume’s email is rumekpadamrophe@yahoo.com.