When the boys were little, we did an arts and crafts project together. They had to get creative decorating and labeling their Christmas stockings. We had to drain them of their endless energy first, of course. They did an excellent job, the stockings are still holding strong and we use them every year. Each one is unique and reflects the personality of the boy who made it. They are marked so that each one has an owner, distinctly identified.
I thought of this while reading Jeremiah today, especially the part where God says “called by My name.”
“and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered to do all these abominations’?”
-Jeremiah 7:10
What does it mean to be called by His name? It means that we, and everything He created, are marked, owned, and identified by Him. The Bible is replete with references to God’s ownership. One of the strongest is found in Psalms.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
-Psalm 24:1
The world and those who dwell therein.”
What does it mean to be owned by God? For one thing, I can tell you this: we are safe in His ownership. Think about the boys and their stockings. Can you imagine one of them messing with another’s? A brawl of epic proportions would ensue. Now translate that to God’s own. If you mess with God’s own, there will be serious consequences to pay. We are safe in His ownership of us.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
-Romans 8:31
Especially because God is faithful.
“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”
-2 Thessalonians 3:3
Understanding our identity is important. There is a catchy song by Anne Wilson called “Hey Girl” that speaks directly to this. The song talks about your true identity as a child of the King, saved by amazing grace. With this established identity, how are we supposed to behave? Jesus shows us how. Multiple times in the book of John, Jesus refers to having come in His Father’s name or doing something in His Father’s name.
“Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.”
-John 10:25
There it is. Jesus’ works represented who sent Him. We have to be Christ-like in our thinking, walking, and talking. A tall order, but with the identity we carry and the easy access to strength through prayer, perhaps this is more achievable than we think. I have to focus on the struggle of fighting my carnal nature and letting God shine through and through. I pray you are successful in claiming your identity today. May God bless you.
Dear God,
I belong to You but I do not behave like it. I am sorry, please transform me and give me a clean heart so that I can glorify You in everything I do. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.