Walking in the Light: Our True Identity in Christ

In our journey of faith, one of the most profound challenges is aligning our lives with the identity that Christ calls us to embody. The apostle John offers a powerful reminder about the authenticity of our faith in his writings. To live in Christ means to live in truth, love, and obedience. This article explores how we can embrace our true identity in Christ and avoid the pitfalls of living with a "fake ID."

We All Know “That Person”

Growing up, many of us wanted to believe we were more mature than we actually were. Shame of you if this was the case, but some of us need even more grace because we took our desire to do so to a whole ‘notha level. We went in search of the holy grail of hostility and shenanigans. Yes, I’m speaking of…the FAKE ID!! This “amazing” piece of false equiment would guarantee you cigarettes, six packs, and situations that you had 0 business being a part of! We accessed things that we could partake in (here’s the word) prematurely, and no matter how worth it it seemed many who had one expressed real resentment for using it and the consequences that came if that got caught. 

Ultimately, the lesson learned is that we needed time to grow and mature before we really understood what we were engaging in and how to do so correctly. The same thing can be said for how we grow in our relationship with Christ. Many want to walk fully in Faith, but far too many times aren’t obedient in the maturity of it; the way Christ lived it. And instead of taking the time to learn, grow, and mature they simply pick and choose the things they want to operate in most. All grace, no truth. Allll truth, no grace. No matter how they do it, they operate immaturely. In this way, they don’t fully mature. They use a fake ID. And doing this can…and usually will…have consequences.

Living in the Light

John's epistle emphasizes the importance of living in the light of Christ. "If anyone claims, 'I am living in the light,' but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness" (1 John 2:9). The metaphor of light and darkness illustrates the stark difference between genuine faith and falsehood. Living in the light means embracing love AND truth (if you can’t say amen, say ouch!), reflecting Christ's nature in all of our actions and relationships. When we harbor hatred or animosity towards others, we stray into darkness, away from the true light of Christ.

We have…a fake…ID.

The call to love one another is not new; it is a commandment we have had from the very beginning. Yet, it remains as relevant today as it was centuries ago. By living in the light, we ensure that our actions do not cause others to stumble, thereby fostering a community that thrives on love and mutual respect.

The Dangers of a Fake ID

The concept of a "fake ID" serves as a metaphor for claiming to be a follower of Christ without embodying His teachings. Just as a fake ID is used to gain premature access to privileges, claiming to know God without obeying His commandments is deceptive and harmful. John warns, "If someone claims, 'I know God,' but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth" (1 John 2:4).

And though many believers are well-intentioned and I have no doubt they are, myself included, we might fall into the trap of immaturity in their faith. We might profess faith but fail to live it out. This is never good, but ultimately it damages our witness! The maturity in faith requires a deep commitment to following Christ's teachings and living as He did. This means continuous growth, learning, and transformation, reflecting Christ in every aspect of our lives.

The Power of Obedience

Obedience to God's commandments is a true measure of our love for Him. John asserts, "But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him" (1 John 2:5). Obedience is not just about following rules; it is about aligning our hearts and actions with God's will.

Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of living out the commandments through His teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. The entire first chapter of the sermon, chapter 5 (remember, there are three altogether. My bet is He was taking this kinda serious ;-)), Jesus expresses everything from being peacemakers to loving our enemies, laying out a comprehensive guide to living a life that honors God. Obedience to these teachings is a testament to our faith and a crucial aspect of our true identity in Christ. If Jesus actually meant what He said (here’s a hint. He DOES), then many of us have some correcting to do in how we approach and love our neighbor…and God. (If you can’t say amen aga…you get the point.)

Building a Community of Love

The ultimate goal of living in Christ is to build a community rooted in love and unity. Jesus prayed for this unity in John 17, desiring that all believers be one as He and the Father are one. This unity is not about sameness but about oneness, a harmonious relationship built on love and mutual respect in the midst of difference; unity in diversity.

The enemy often tries to drive a wedge into this unity by promoting a false sense of identity, where actions do not align with the professed faith. To counter this, we must strive to live authentically, reflecting Christ's love in our interactions. By doing so, we create a community that embodies the true light of Christ, standing as a testament to His transformative power.

Embracing our true identity in Christ requires living in the light, avoiding the pitfalls of a fake ID, obeying God's commandments, and fostering a loving community. Committing to these principles, ensuring that our lives reflect the truth and love of Christ, thereby fulfills our highest potential in Him. Amen to being “grown” enough to not have the need for a fake ID.

— Jordan Brown

Pastor (Ministries and Outreach) [OV] Church