Shedding What Doesn’t Last
Embracing Your True Identity in Christ (Caught Between Two Worlds Series Part 2 of 6)
Personal Update: The Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
Living on Florida's west coast, I faced the reality of evacuation ahead of Hurricane Helene. The forecast warned of storm surge higher than anything our area has seen before. My home was spared by about a foot from flooding, but more than 60% of the homes in my neighborhood weren’t as fortunate. Across six states, many families are facing unimaginable loss. Some are still waiting for rescue, while others are sifting through the wreckage of their lives, unsure of what can be salvaged.
As we continue to pray for those affected, it’s important to remember that recovery from a storm of this magnitude is a marathon, not a sprint. It will take time—emotionally, physically, and spiritually—for communities to rebuild and find hope again. May we continue to offer support and prayer in the long journey of restoration.
A Prayer for the Victims of Hurricane Helene
Heavenly Father,
We lift up the communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. We ask that you comfort those grieving the loss of loved ones and strengthen those facing the overwhelming task of rebuilding. For those still awaiting rescue or news, we pray for swift answers and safety. Let your presence be a source of hope and peace during uncertainty and heartbreak. Guide the hands of those providing relief and give courage to those who feel lost. Help us, as a community, to stand with them in steadfast prayer and action, offering support and compassion. May your love and strength carry them through every step of the recovery. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Recognizing False Identities and the Lies We Believe
As I reflect on identity, I'm struck by how much we build our sense of self on things that don't last—external achievements, appearances, and the approval of others. Our culture continuously reinforces the idea that what we do, how we look, and how well we meet society's expectations define our worth.
But when we stop to survey our lives, we realize these things don't make us who we truly are. False identities creep in over time, leading us to feel empty or insecure when these worldly markers of value shift or disappear. As we grow in our understanding of who we are in Christ, we must confront these false narratives and intentionally release them, allowing God’s truth to redefine our identity.
What Is Identity?
Identity isn’t determined by what we do or what people say about us—it’s rooted in who we are in Christ. From a biblical perspective, our true identity begins with being created in the image of God: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them” (Genesis 1:27, NIV). This means our worth and identity come from being made by God and for God, not from the roles we play or the achievements we accumulate.
However, the brokenness of the world causes us to lose sight of this truth, leading us to anchor our identity in things that are temporary and unreliable. But these fleeting sources of identity can never sustain us. They only leave us to question our worth when they inevitably fall away.
Biblical Stories of False Identities
Consider King Saul in the Old Testament. He was anointed as the first king of Israel, but over time, his desire for power and approval took over his sense of identity. Instead of placing his security in God, Saul allowed fear and comparison to drive his actions, leading him down a path of jealousy and destruction (1 Samuel 18-19). Even positions of power and success can lead to insecurity when identity is based on anything other than God.
Similarly, the Apostle Peter faced an identity crisis. When Jesus was arrested, Peter denied knowing him three times, fearing what others might think (Luke 22:54-62). Jesus, after his resurrection, gently restored Peter, asking him three times if he loved him and instructing him to care for his flock (John 21:15-17). Jesus’ forgiveness of Peter reaffirmed his identity and calling.
False Identities in Our Lives
Just as Saul and Peter experienced moments of misplaced identity, we often find ourselves caught in similar traps. Here are a few common false identities many of us carry:
The Lie of Productivity: We believe, “I am only valuable if I am busy and successful.” However, Psalm 46:10 (NIV) encourages us to, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Our value doesn’t come from busyness but from resting in God's presence.
The Lie of Appearance: Society teaches us that our worth is tied to how we look. But 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) reminds us, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” True beauty and worth come from being loved and known by God.
The Lie of Approval: Many of us seek validation from others, fearing rejection. But Galatians 1:10 (NIV) challenges us with this truth: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” We find our security not in people’s approval but in knowing that we are fully accepted by God through Christ.
Embracing Our True Identity in Christ
True identity is found in Christ alone. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV), “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This means that when we place our faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross, we are forgiven of our sins and given a new identity as children of God. Our salvation is not based on anything we’ve done, but solely on what Christ accomplished on our behalf.
Through faith in Jesus, we receive this new identity—not by earning it, but as a free gift of grace. As Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Our worth and identity in Christ are rooted in this truth: we are loved, forgiven, and accepted because of what Jesus did, not because of what we achieve.
Shedding the Lies…Over and Over Again
The tension between our current identity in Christ and the ongoing transformation of sanctification is where we live each day. Being “caught between two worlds”, the "already" (we are already justified and made new through faith) and the "not yet" (awaiting the full realization of our sanctification in Christ’s second coming), reminds us that while our identity is secure in Christ, we will continually need to battle false identities as we are transformed by the Spirit.
As 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) states, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.” This process—becoming more like Christ—is the work of the Holy Spirit, guiding us toward wholeness as we realign our thoughts and actions with God’s truth.
Practical Steps to Embrace Our True Identity:
Self-Reflection and Surrender
Ask God to reveal any false identities. Trust him to expose areas where you’ve sought worth outside of him. Write them down to bring awareness and offer space for surrendering them to God.Rest in Your Status as God’s Child
Our adoption into God’s family is foundational to our identity. Grounding our identity in God's grace frees us from striving to earn approval through our works, reminding us that we are loved by God no matter what we achieve.Engage in Christ-Centered Community
Community and accountability are vital in shedding false identities. Surround yourself with others who reflect God’s truth, providing prayerful encouragement when old narratives resurface.Combat Lies with Scripture
Scripture is our greatest defense against false identities. Memorizing verses like Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 equips us to stand firm in truth.Surrender Daily in Prayer
Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to renew and transform us. Through daily surrender, we align our hearts with God, trusting Him to do the inner work of sanctification.
Fueled By Grace
Shedding false identities is a lifelong process, but it’s one fueled by grace, not effort. As you continuously reflect, rest in God’s truth, engage in community, and immerse yourself in Scripture, you will experience the slow, steady transformation into the person God created you to be.
What false identity have I believed about myself that needs to be replaced with God's truth?
Caught Between Two Worlds (Story Continuation)
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
The next morning, sunlight filters softly through the window as she sits at her kitchen table. Her Bible is open, and the warmth of the coffee in her hands offers comfort, but her heart feels lighter in a different way today. The list of tasks waiting for her hasn’t changed—the emails, the errands—but something within her has shifted.
She breathes in deeply and releases the pressure to perform, to prove her worth through productivity. Today, she’s choosing a different path. Closing her eyes, she prays softly, “Lord, help me remember that my worth isn’t in all I can accomplish, but in who I am in You.”
The familiar pull of her phone buzzing is ignored as she turns the pages of Scripture instead, resting in the quiet truth of His presence. In Christ, I am enough. For the first time in a long while, she feels a deeper kind of peace—a peace that comes from surrendering the need to achieve and embracing the truth that she is already complete in Him.
Good News
Because of Jesus, you don’t have to strive for what is already yours—his love, his acceptance, and the security of your true identity in him.
Resources
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller
New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp
Suffering and the Heart of God by Dr. Diane Langberg
Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard
Looking Ahead
This is Part 2 of the 6-part series, Caught Between Two Worlds.
Caught Between Two Worlds: Finding Rest in Your Identity in Christ
Shedding What Doesn’t Last: Embracing Your True Identity in Christ
The Metamorphosis of Your Mind: Surrendering to the Spirit's Work in Shaping Your Identity
Walking in the Freedom of Christ: Your Identity Beyond Circumstance
Anchored in Hope: Strengthening Your Identity in Christ
Living Fully Rooted in Christ: Flourishing in Your New Identity