by Jamie Davis
These days, a conversation about identity gets a mixture of looks and reactions.
People identify with their country of origin.
People identify with a sports team.
People identify with political parties.
And the list goes on and on.
The world pushes for some sort of identity. It is almost impossible to go through life without some sort of label or means of “identity.” Ironically, the one identity that we should all seek is to be identified as a Christian — to be in the body of Christ. Followers of Jesus were first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 11:26). Peter wrote of those who suffer as Christians (1 Peter 4:16).
And even still, we have a world that struggles with that name.
• There are those who would rather go by a sectarian or denominational name
rather than simply Christian.
• Christians are given labels such as liberal, conservative, institutional, anti,
and many other means of identity.
• And then there is the worst one of all: those who refuse to seek Christ and
wear His name at all.
Paul warned about divisions and taking on other names (1 Corinthians 1:10–13). Only Christ was crucified for us. Only Jesus served as the perfect Lamb of God for our atonement. Why would anyone go by any other name but the name of the Son of God?
And yet, as we wear that name, how are we wearing it? How are we embracing and holding onto that identity? It is the name above all names. It is a holy name, for He is holy.
Thus, we should not darken or diminish that which is holy. We should not seek to replace that name. We should wear it with honor, humility, and care.
