In Matthew 16:13-15, Jesus asks his disciples two questions:
- Who do people say I am?
- Who do you say I am?
I think it’s worth asking him the same questions about ourselves. So, first question first – here’s an abbreviated list of who people have said that I am:
- Nonprofit worker
- That girl with the long hair
- Grandma at heart
- Four-year-old at heart
- That white girl
- Older sister
- Employee of the Month
- Slacker
- Overachiever
- Underachiever
- Too pretty
- Not pretty enough
- Nerd
- Goofball
- Musician
- Athlete
Now for the second question – here’s who God says I am:
- Child of God (John 1:12)
- Friend of Jesus (John 15:15)
- The light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
- Co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17)
- God’s temple (I Corinthians 3:17)
- Captivating (Song of Solomon 4:9)
- Servant and steward (I Corinthians 4:1)
- Free from slavery (Galatians 5:1)
- Holy and blameless (Colossians 1:22)
- Fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
- Citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
- Strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10)
- Washed, sanctified, and justified (I Corinthians 6:11)
- Chosen and beloved (Colossians 3:12)
- God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
- Ambassador for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20)
- More than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)
We can let our identity be defined by the people around us – people who only ever see a tiny fraction of the picture – or we can let the God of the universe define who we are. He knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13) and knows the number of hairs on my head (Luke 12:7). He IS the truth (John 14:6), so he has the true picture of who I am. Who do you say you are?
