When someone chooses to identify themself primarily by a secondary descriptive of their life (sexual orientation, political persuasion, gender identity, etc.), society will begin to no longer see them as an individual person but by the tribe to which they have attached themself.
For many this might not sound like a problem but a desirable goal. I disagree.
Tell me if this is not where we are today—Pride month is filled with seemingly every article of clothing imaginable advertising the type of people that they love, political parties are now the lens through which one must see all things, and one’s gender identity is something all must know and accept at every turn.
The problem is that these descriptives were never meant to be the things that we are known for most and, yet, that is exactly what we have made them to be. Therefore, tribalism reigns; individuality and value apart from the tribe has been lost.
When this happens, acceptance among one’s tribe becomes the most important thing to maintain no matter the cost. To lose such would be catastrophic and, unfortunately, a loss from which many people cannot recover. Why? Because it has become their sole identity and, tied to it, their purpose for living.
So, what happens on the rare occasion that one’s sexual orientation changes? What happens to the rainbow t-shirts and the friend group that accepted them simply because of their shared affections? In the same manner, what happens when one’s chosen political party diverges from what it once stood for or one’s gender identity seems to no longer fit who they are?
At these points, one finally realizes that their identity as an individual person has been stolen by these things. And the worst part is, they allowed it.
So, if not these things, what is it that should be our primary identity? Some noble guesses might be one’s last name, family heritage, or the country in which they were born. But to be sure, we should ask the One who created us. And why would we do that? Because the one who created something would know best as to why that something was created.
Take, for example, the paper clip. Let’s say my wife and I are arguing one day over the purpose and identity of it. With all sincerity, I look at my wife and tell her that this clip’s purpose is to unbend, attach to a rubber band, and shoot at people that annoy me. In her own moment of seriousness (and slight trepidation), she argues that the purpose of such a clip is to hold her ponytail in place when a hair tie is nowhere to be found. We go back-and-forth arguing but to no avail because it is my word against hers.
So, what do we do? The only thing our therapist says we can do at this point—ask someone with more authority on the clip than either of us have. And who has such authority? Its creator!
The first patent for a bent wire paper clip was awarded in the United States to Samuel B. Fay.[1] So, we knock on his casket and call Mr. Fay to settle the debate. He looks at both of us and declares us both wrong. He tells us the purpose of the paper clip is neither as weapon nor hair holder, but to our amazement, a clip for paper! Dumbfounded, my wife and I go silent, for who are we to argue with the creator as to the identity and purpose of his creation?
In the same way, if God is our Creator, where does He say our identity lies? If He says sexual orientation, I have some t-shirts to buy. If He says political party, I better stay home and watch every presidential debate that ever airs. If He says gender identity, I better carry my birth certificate around everywhere I go so no one dares get it wrong.
So, let’s ask Him and see what He says. “God, where does our identity as your creation truly lie?” And in response He simply points to a verse that states, “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him (Genesis 1:27).” Gender identity follows right after this, but it is not primary. Neither is anything else but this: we were created as individuals bearing the image of Almighty God.
That’s where our Creator says our identity primarily resides. Debates over. Tribes dismissed. T-shirts returned. Birth certificates back in the drawer.
We are God’s image-bearers. The other things may still be important, but if we get the primary wrong, the secondary identities are in danger of following. The examples of our current world prove this.
As Christians, let’s be sure we get this right so that others at least have a chance to do the same. And our Creator makes another thing clear as well: our purpose is actually tied to this identity.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
[Colossians 1:16]
We were not only created by our Creator God, but for Him as well. The good news is that if we get one right, we will get the other right also.
Therefore, identity theft by these other things should no longer be allowed. Why? Because our Creator has other plans.
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