Lose The Self and Find The Son

From early childhood we are encouraged to "be yourself, think for yourself, establish your own identity." As a parent of three young boys I am amazed at how even in their early years they are all uniquely their "own person." At a young age this doesn't appear to be a problem. I mean really, who doesn't want their children to "be themselves" But I think we as Christians (if your are not a believer then this really doesn't apply and you may stop reading any time) need to take some time and stop and consider if these words "be yourself, and establish your own identity" have deeper meaning then the way we use them.

Romans 8:29 "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers" (ESV)

In the discussion of establishing ones self, this verse should make us stop and ponder if it is personal identity we should strive for or is Christ identity we should strive for? Really for the believer we should never "be our self" but each situation in life should be directed to Scripture so we can live as Christ lived each day. In a follow up thought from the previous post this is the very understanding of the "Rabbi/ Disciple" model that Scripture teaches. To follow the Rabbi it means you leave behind all your identity and do everything in the footsteps of the Rabbi. A proper understanding of this relationship, makes the Scripture so much more clear.

Luke 14:27 "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (ESV)

A man who is carrying a cross has no more "self" his will, his desires, his plans, his identity is found only in the cross that he carries and that identity is that of a man who is dead. In the same way we as professing followers of Christ should be dead to self. Our identity should be completely wrapped in the very image of Christ.

"Who am I?" seems to be a question often thought on by people of all ages. This question often creates all kinds of struggles and hardships in our lives. Youth who desperately run to one style of life after the next, from goth, grunge, jock, joker, prep. etc.... trying to find their own identity. Young adults who run wild after they leave home looking to establish themselves in this world. Middle aged men who go through the dreaded "mid-life crisis" leave their families, buy motorcycles and get tattoos. To seniors on their death bed wishing they had done everything different, a life full of regret knowing the person they should have been and yet never were. To the Christian the "who am I" should only have one answer. Who am I, I am alive in Christ and am walking in his footsteps striving to do all he did, the way he did it.

Next time you look in the mirror and start to ponder who you really are, instead go to Scripture open it, read it and place your identity in Jesus. Lose the self and find the Son.