Dear Reader,
Today, I'm writing on a topic that weighs heavily on the hearts of millions of people today.
Identity.
There's a reason why I believe it's so vital for every Christian to know this biblical principle; everything in this world will fade away. The things we treasure here on earth will waste away; only treasures stored up in heaven will last.
Why is this important to identity?
Because you see, Reader, each man's identity is only as good as the things it's founded upon.
But how can we have a firm identity if the foundation we're building the identity on isn't solid in the first place?
Let's dig deeper...
Reactive versus Proactive
Why Living out the Truth of God's Word is Vital to Identity.
Before I get into the meat of it, let me explain "reactive" and "proactive".
There are two kinds of people in this world -- reactive and proactive.
The differences between reactive people and proactive people are literally the differences between day and night.
Reactive people are driven by feelings. They make choices based on what is happening to them, not based on what they should do.
Reactive people blame their circumstances, environment, conditions, other people for the problems they have. They are influenced largely, if not solely, by external circumstances.
They say things like;
"It's their fault I am like this." and shift the blame to the other person.
"I did this because that made me." and let circumstances control them solely.
"I won't _______ today, because I'm not motivated." and neglect habits of personal growth and stay in their comfort zone because it 'feels good'.
They put the blame on other people and things. They lack personal responsibility; they lack a firm foundation. They make excuses. They make choices based on what other people think about them, the way they feel, or the situation they're in.
Proactive people are driven by internal values.
They know that each man and woman is responsible for their own lives.
They say, "I am the person I am today because of the choices I made yesterday." and can say, "I choose otherwise."
They say, "It's not important what happens to me; it's my response to what happens to me that matters."
And when the situation is out of their control, they don't let their losses dictate their actions going forward.
They are the ones that truly understand Eleanor Roosevelt's words, "No one can hurt you without your consent."
Yes, they are influenced by emotions and outer circumstances like any other human being; but they respond differently.
Biblical Connection
The Bible talks about these two kinds of people in allegorical form.
The wise man and the foolish man.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Matthew 7:24-25
The wise man built his house on a solid foundation; he built his house on the rock.
Unmovable. Unshakable. Unbreakable. That rock represented Jesus.
The proactive man builds his identity on critical principles; truths essential to withstand the storms of life. It's how they're able to choose how they respond instead of letting their responses be chosen for them.
And the only way to find those principles and truths is to be rooted in the Rock of Ages.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Matthew 7:26-27
The foolish man built his house on the sand.
Unpredictable. Unstable. The sand represents all other foundations besides the Word and it's Author.
And what happened to the foolish man's house?
It was more than broken. It was utterly destroyed.
The reactive man is just as volatile as the foundation he's built upon. Spontaneous. Purposeless. Always chasing the wind; tossed by the ocean waves.
Application
Each house is only as good as it's foundation.
Each man's identity is only as good as the things it's founded upon.
See the correlation?
We can take away two facts from this, and from these two facts, we can elicit priceless principles.
Fact 1: Both men heard the words of the Lord.
But one man acted on those words. The other didn't.
Having a real, rooted identity in Jesus Christ requires more than head knowlege. It requires having the Lord preeminence in your life. It requires sacrifice. It requires trust and faith.
Fact 2: Each man's house was impacted by the storm.
The winds howled at both houses. The rains pounded on their roofs, and the flood rose high around them.
Yet, only one stood.
And it was the one with the rock foundation.
Where you find your foundation, you find your basis for your identity.
Let me ask you, Reader; who does your loyalty go to? Where is your validation found?
Where is your foundation built?
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. – Matthew 6:21
Wherever we invest most our time and our resources in, that is where our heart also.
Our hearts are our houses. Our identities are our houses.
Will your heart be beaten down by the winds and rains?
Will your identity be defined by the storms of this life?
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 3:11, KJV.
The only way you will be able to stand in the fire, my friend, is found in Matthew 7:24;
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock
Matthew 7:24
And where does that start? For each and every one of us, that starts with repenting of our sins, believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose again three days later, and receiving Jesus into our hearts as Lord and Saviour.
I know it's hard changing an identity you've held onto for so long. And if you're struggling, I'd love to pray for you. Just reply to this email.
But friend, if you are a Christian, once you realize just how powerful and true the fact, "I am a child of God." is,
Then you'll begin to see,
You wouldn't want any other identity anyway.
On FIRE for the Lord,
