Identity Theft

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26

Recently I had my identity stolen by someone who boldly travelled across the country using my credit card number to purchase everything from airline tickets to passes to the zoo. My credit card company was pretty cavalier when I reported the fraud. Though they promptly set about cancelling, investigating and rectifying my account, I could tell by the surprisingly jovial tone of the service representative that, while such a breach was new to me, this was something they dealt with on a regular basis. What to me was a grievous violation, was for them an everyday occurrence, despite their allegedly sophisticated security measures.

This incident reminded me that, as leaders who are followers of Christ, everyday we are faced with numerous threats to our Godly identity. We are constantly being pursued by an enemy who is characterized as a bold thief (John 10:10). His only motive is to steal, kill and destroy everything that concerns us, especially our identity! If he can get us to forget who we are and Whose we are, we are well on our way to living a bankrupt life, devoid of the assurance that comes from accepting God’s hope, joy and love.
Continue Reading

Today I want to remind you that you are more than your job or ministry title, your educational background or your income level. You are more than your successes and you are much, much more than your failures. You are a Child of God. No matter what your circumstances, your community or even your critics say, once you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour of your life, you have automatically been adopted into the Family of God, with all the rights and privileges that are attached to that affiliation. And the best news of all is that you can relax and enjoy this new identity forever because God’s security measures never fail!

Why not meditate on the truth of your Godly identity today? Let the assurance that you are a Child of God encourage you to live obediently, walk worthy and lead courageously in alignment with your royal standing. Rejoice that your Godly identity is the one aspect of your identity that no thief can ever steal from you!

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for reminding me today through your word that my identity as your child is always secure. When my circumstances, community or critics tempt me to believe that my identity is something other than Your child, help me to recall the truth of Your Word. Thank you for adopting me into your family. In the name of Your Son Jesus, Amen.

Think about it – Who or what has stolen or altered your identity as a Child of God? How do you think recalling your true identity can change your perspective, style and outcomes as a leader?