The Discovery of Identity and the Path of Discipleship
When we try to find a place, the first thing we do is check where we are. Using the map app on our smartphones, we pinpoint our current location and then find the best way to reach our destination. This process becomes easier when we recognize familiar landmarks. Our life journey, and our faith journey, is much like this. To find the right path to our destination, we must continuously check our identity and our place in relation to those around us. We do not live alone, but in relationships, so in our faith journey, it is crucial to discover ourselves within these relationships. How is my faith being shaped, and where do I stand in these relationships? As we hold these questions, we walk the path of discipleship.
Everyone has their own understanding of their identity. We often ask ourselves, “Who am I?” But finding the answer is not easy. Identity is much more complex and multi-dimensional than we may think. There is often a big gap between how we see ourselves and how others see us. Sometimes, there is even a large difference between the way we define ourselves and how we actually behave. In some situations, we may act kindly and put others first, but in other situations, we may act selfishly or try to protect ourselves. Even in a single day, we can witness good and evil mixing within ourselves.
Our identity is not set in stone. Rather, it transforms and adjusts based on the relationships and situations we face. Like a living being, our identity grows and evolves as we journey through life. The direction of this change, whether for better or worse, is shaped by the choices we make and the effort we put in.
As Christians, we discover and mature our identity through our relationship with God. As we walk the path of faith, we come to realize that identity is not something fixed or permanent but is continually shaped and deepened through our relationship with God. The Apostle Paul says in Galatians 2:20, “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” This verse offers key insight into what it means to be a believer and what kind of identity we should pursue as Christians. We must recognize Christ’s presence in our lives and continuously shape our identity through our relationship with Him.
On the road to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” This was a question about the public’s perception of Christ. The disciples answered, “Some say John the Baptist, but others, Elijah, and still others, one of the prophets.” People were defining Jesus based on their own understanding.
But Jesus asked the disciples a deeper, more personal question: “But who do you say that I am?” This was a question for each disciple individually, one that led to a deep reflection on their faith identity. Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” This confession was not just a change in understanding but a profound faith acknowledgment that Jesus was the Savior sent by God.
However, when Jesus spoke about His suffering and death, Peter could not accept it. The Messiah the Jews expected was a political savior who would free Israel from Roman oppression. But Jesus’ mission as the Messiah went beyond human expectations; it was about salvation through suffering and death. Peter didn’t understand this and tried to stop Jesus. That’s when Jesus rebuked him sharply, saying, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” This was because Peter was trying to understand God’s plan from a human perspective. Jesus’ path was not about worldly victory but about fulfilling God’s redemptive plan, which Peter had not yet fully understood.
Our identity is not formed in isolation but discovered through relationships. Just as it is impossible to describe the position of a single object in space without reference to others, we can only define ourselves through our relationships with God, family, friends, and the church community. Just as Sunday, one day of the week, has meaning in relation to the other six days, so we find clarity about our identity in the context of our relationships with others.
When we discover ourselves within these relationships, the deeper our relationship with God becomes, the clearer we understand who we truly are. Our identity is shaped within the love God has given us, and it continues to grow according to His will. As it says in Ephesians 4:15-16, we grow together as the body of Christ, speaking the truth in love. The church community is a vital place where we discover our identity, and in that space, we mature more deeply in God. Jesus also shared His mission through His relationships with His disciples, and through these deep connections, He revealed His identity as the Son of God. As Jesus’ identity became clearer in His fellowship with the disciples, they also discovered their own calling.
Every day, we must check our identity as we walk the path of faith. Sometimes, we feel satisfied with what we have achieved, and other times, we face failure and disappointment. But as Christians, our journey is not tied to any one moment of success or failure. Instead, we begin anew each day in our relationship with God. We must not regard past achievements as eternal or hold onto the pain of failure for too long. Instead, we should humbly reflect on how we can use each day given to us by God to grow in Him.
Our faith is not static but a process of constant change and maturity. In our relationship with God, we are continually being transformed and growing. Today, let us entrust ourselves to God and pray that our identity deepens and matures through our love for one another. As we dedicate each day to the Lord, we will continually discover who we are, follow Christ’s path, and grow deeper in faith.
Amen.