†ough חesed - Identity

Ephesians 2:1-10

Quote James Clear on habits defining idenitity

Not sure who needs to hear this, but this whole idea that we are what we do or that our actions define who we are is wrong.

*fight clip*

Let me explain.

So I definitely agree that we should be trying to build habits that will strengthen, develop, grow, and overall improve ourselves.

I would absolutely argue that pursuing a wholesome balance between our minds, bodies, and souls, especially as we pursue Christlikeness, is not only essential, but it’s biblical.

That said, at the end of the day, when it’s all said and done, it’s ultimately God who defines who we are. But if this claim that your identity is defined by the habits you’ve built is true, then I think we have a serious problem.

You wouldn’t have to be a Christian for very long to notice that when it comes to our personal ability to follow Jesus consistently, the only thing consistent about it is our inconsistency.

*zoolander oh snap*

Mt 5:48

So according to Jesus, perfection is the baseline standard of our identity and that’s a bit concerning, considering that this is completely unattainable in of ourselves. *flash Rm 3:23 in eyes*

So if perfection is what we’re meant to embody, this whole idea that our behavior defines who we are is completely moot unless you identify as a soup sandwich *jacked up heathen*, in which case you’d be right.

*Happy/Sad Ben Affleck - Sad Feeling*

Looking at

Ephesians 2:1-3

So according to this passage, everything about who you were apart Jesus Christ could simply be summed up as

*pause, then in giant bold print DEAD with loud thud*

Without Jesus, the reality is that we’re spiritually dead in our sins and are just being dragged around by the agendas of the world, demonic spirits and by our own selfish desires.

We’re literally disconnected from God in every way. This is what it means to be a sinner.

I mean, to be a sinner, it’s not that you simply do things that God has commanded younot to do, it’s that every aspect of who you are is distorted, broken, and utterly ruined by sin.

We’re not merely sinners because we sin, we sin because we’re sinners. This goes beyond body and mind here. Without God’s intervention, this is the core of who we are.

And that’s what it means to be a child of wrath. Without Jesus in our life, our destiny is bound to total destruction under God’s holy and righteous wrath.

And if you’re thinking, well that’s just one verse bro, take a [chill pill*amplify*]

Rest assured that this pretty much sums up what the rest of Scripture has to say about you.

*Curb your enthusiasm theme w/ roll credits*

“Genesis 3:1-24

Genesis 6:11-12

Deuteronomy 31:29

Judges 2:19

Psalm 5:6

Psalm 41:4

Psalm 51:5

Psalm 58:3

Isaiah 30:9

Isaiah 32:6

Isaiah 64:6

You get the point.

Jeremiah 17:9

John 3:19-20

Romans 3:23

Romans 5:12

Romans 5:19a

Romans 6:23

Romans 8:7-8

Romans 8:13a

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Galatians 5:19-21

Galatians 6:8a

Please stahp.

Ephesians 4:17-19

Colossians 2:13a

1 Timothy 1:9

2 Timothy 3:13

James 1:15

James 2:10

James 3:2

James 4:17

1 Peter 4:3

1 John 1:8

1 John 3:4

1 John 3:8a

We’re screwed.

1 John 3:15”

At the end of the day, identity is a matter of birth, not behavior.

Sure you could make less bad decisions and maybe even live out a pretty wise and moral life, but even in your best days, everything that you do is tainted by sin.

*Get to the point*

This is the point. For God, there are only two categories that He identifies us by

Dead *left hand*

Alive *right hand*

#amazingeditingskillzzz

And so, if we’re all born spiritually dead, the only way out of our spiritual disposition would be if we could somehow be born again… (*Jn 3:3)

Eph 2:4-9

This is ultimately what God is promising you through the Gospel, a new identity. *2 Corinthians 5:17*

In Christ, we undergo this radical *and miraculous* transformation from death to life and as Paul mentions, it’s not something that we obtain through having the right set of habits or behavior, but it’s soley out of God’s eternally rich and abundant mercy and love.

You see, for the Christian, it was God, on account of His grace, who took you, a spiritually dead sinner, and transformed you into living saint *sinner saved by grace* through your faith in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ *Romans 10:9-10; Galatians 2:15-16*.

This is why Paul refers to this whole process of salvation as a complete gift from God; we literally contribute nothing to taking on this new identity *2 Corinthians 5:17-21*

And none of this is to say that our habits and actions are pointless!

In Ephesians 2:10

So how we live does really matter in response to this new identity; we were made to embody a lifestyle that represents the goodness, righteousness, and joyfulness of God.

So when it comes to our habits or behavior, it all stems from who we are, not the other way around.

*duh*

Now often for the Christians that I encounter, that’s not the difficult part to grasp.

Like, ok sure, people are consistent with who they are *sinners sin*

But if I have this new identity in Christ, why do I still do the things I did in the old identity?

Why, if I am a saint, do I still sin?

Well if you want to find my response to that *read your Bible*, go ahead and click on the video here, but in the meantime

Stay on the alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous and strong, and let everything you do be done in love.

*†ough חesed out*