The DNA Of Your IdentitySample

WELCOME TO THE HOOD!

Who am I? That seems to be the big question that is buzzing around our minds. In our research conducted among 65,000 urban teenagers in India, the number one issue for 1 out of 3 respondents was about identity.

We seem to enjoy our identity in Ed Hardy T-shirts, the music we listen to, the friends we hang out with, and the instant gratification that comes from comments from our so-called friends on Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. But, really, who are you?

The Bible says, ‘You are a son of the most high God.’ You are not what people say you are. You are what God says you are--a son and a daughter of the Most High.

In everyday terms, reputation is what people think about you and testimony is what God thinks about you. What God says about you matters! You + GOD = Majority.

The Bible elevates this truth to in fact call us joint heirs with Christ. This is mind-blowing because it means that whatever Jesus has is ours and all that we have is His. This means that He has taken our weakness and made His strength ours. Our liabilities are His and His abundance is ours, our sickness is His and His wholeness and healing is ours. You just got upgraded!

Now that we have a new identity that comes through Christ, we have greater responsibility as well. It’s a place of great privilege and also a position of incredible authority!

Bill Johnson says, ‘Royalty is my identity; service is my assignment; intimacy with God is my source of strength.’ The scripture from Romans says it best in 8:14-17: ‘For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.’