Who are you? It seems like a simple question, right?
But these days, how people define themselves often belies the real essence of who they truly are.
Social media profiles mark our identity largely by what we do, or describe our passions, accomplishments and relationship status.
UNFOLLOW THE SCIENCE
Nowadays, human characteristics— once universally recognized as immutable— are seemingly fluid, such that feelings—not scientific fact— define these ever-changing terms. For example, in Wisconsin, parents can re-identify themselves by gender-neutral terms on their children’s birth certificates. And in New York, residents can designate their sex as “X” on their driver’s license and birth certificate.
Not to be outdone, the United States House of Representatives has debased civilization’s quintessential calling by reducing mothers to “birthing persons.” And in many states, transgender athletes are trampling on competitive fairness in female sports.
Forgive me for piling on, but as our sons and daughters began their fall semesters at colleges and universities across the country, many were likely quizzed about their gender identity while male or female were among a long list of choices. Personal pronouns that were foundational to the English language have been redefined and elevated from rules of speech to LGBTQ orthodoxy.
Furthermore, mathematics has been recalculated to identify its common denominator in systemic racism, and American history has been rewritten to find its roots in white supremacy. But then again, what else would you deduce when evolutionary theory teaches that our human origins can be traced back to pond scum and a cataclysmic explosion in a galaxy far, far away?
PROPAGANDA PROLIFERATES
Meanwhile, the federal government and its allies in the mainstream media propagandize daily according to one’s race, gender, sexual orientation, political persuasion, religious affiliation and COVID-19 vaccination status. But don’t worry, a valid form of identification to vote for our political leaders isn’t necessary, according to the Biden administration.
Even billion-dollar corporations, who have built their brands for decades on the products and services they provide, now proudly identify themselves according to sexual proclivities. Have you heard that the National Football League has come out as gay? And stroll down the cereal isle of your local grocery store and you might think you’re in a pride march.
Commercials claim that what we purchase defines us. Similarly, marketing gurus seem to believe that what we wear, drive, eat, and entertain ourselves with, or where we live and travel represent the DNA markings of our soul.
WHO ARE YOU FOLLOWING?
But let’s not forget Jesus Christ’s warning in Mark 8:34-38:
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Don’t be deceived, when your life in this world ends and death transports you into eternity, instead of asking “who are you?” Jesus will likely ask you the same question He asked His disciples, “But who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29)
Only then, however, your life on Earth— and how you defined your identity in this world— will already have answered that question and determined whether or not Jesus welcomes you into Heaven or says, “I never knew you.”
I pray that we can all say like Paul: “Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4
If your true identity isn’t in Christ, will you exchange yours for His? You can do so by first agreeing with God that your sin eternally separates you from Him. Then ask God to forgive you for sinning against Him. And profess your thankfulness, faith and trust that Jesus’ atoning death on the cross and victorious resurrection from the grave is totally sufficient for the forgiveness of your sins and unmerited adoption into God’s family for eternity.
