Who Am I?Sample

Jewish Excellence

Of all the people in the world, the Word of God was first entrusted to the Jews. And because they devote their lives to honoring this privilege—studying the Word and living by it—they are able to excel in life.

So, what exactly is there in the Jewish Scriptures? How does it make them great?

The Jewish Scriptures have two main aspects:

1) The Identity of Jews

2) The Laws (Commandments)

The section on the identity of the Jews discusses the fact that they were chosen above all the other people on earth.

●For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 7:6 NKJV)

●Blessed are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? (Deuteronomy 33:29 NIV)

The next section covers the Laws, the standard by which the Jews must live to maintain their God-given identity.

●Also today the Lord has proclaimed you to be His special people, just as He promised you, that you should keep all His commandments, and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken. (Deuteronomy 26:18-19 NKJV)

The Jews keenly read what the Bible says about their identity. Their unshakeable faith in their identity as ‘God’s people’ enables them to eagerly adhere to these laws. They don't receive their identity by keeping the commandments. Instead, they live by the commandments because they are Jews. This is the central reason behind their global success.

Being a Jew is an identity that comes with birth. A child born to a Jewish mother or father automatically receives this identity. It is not earned or chosen but given by the circumstances of birth. This shows that identity is connected to birth.

Of course, not all of us are born Jewish or into privileged families that grant an identity worth boasting about. But God has a solution: He offers us all the experience of being 'born again’. We receive this new birth when we accept Jesus as our personal Savior. And through this spiritual rebirth, we are granted a brand-new identity from God.

In fact, this new identity is the first and foremost benefit of being born again. It transforms us, shaping our thoughts, feelings, and actions, leading us into a powerful new way of living. But the unfortunate reality is that many of us who are born again know nothing about this new identity. When we fail to live by this new identity, a fruitful and satisfying life remains out of reach. Therefore, it is our foremost duty to understand the identity we have received.

Challenge Question:

How does your family background shape who you are? In what ways do your race, family name, financial status, or caste influence your life choices? Do you genuinely believe that being born into God’s family can give you a greater identity?