In a world filled with noise, pressure, busyness and constant comparison, the question of identity is more relevant and prevalent than ever. Every day, whether we realize it or not, something is trying to form our identity- our culture, society, the news, social media, career ambitions, relationships, and even our past mistakes. If `we are not intentionally rooted in the truth of Jesus Christ and abiding in Him (John 15,) we will end up finding our identity in everything but Him.

The truth of our identity is simple, yet not always easy: we will either find our identity in God or in everything else.

Let me ask you this: what is forming you?

Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

This verse is more than encouragement about our thought life- it’s a warning. The world has a pattern that is so easy to fall into. The world tells us our worth is tied to what we do, what we have, or how we’re perceived by others. It tells us to hustle for approval, to curate our lives for likes and attention and to strive for acceptance and significance in all the wrong places. The pattern of the world might feel nice for a little while, but eventually we will feel the ache of emptiness.

But Jesus invites us into identity in a way that is radically different! Jesus doesn’t require us to perform, prove our love, or pretend to be accepted. He simply calls you to believe and belong. Believe in who He is, that He died for us and that because of the cross we belong to Him as sons & daughters. When we allow that truth to renew our minds, we begin to see ourselves the way He sees us- not through the lens of the patterns of the world, but through the love of the Father who sent His son Jesus, to bring us into His Kingdom.

The question becomes: what is forming your identity?
Are you being shaped by the truth of Jesus or by trends?
Are you defined by your Creator or by your circumstances?

God Delights in You
One of the most powerful truths about our identity in Christ is this:

God delights in you
Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.”

And my favourite, Psalm 18:19 says “He rescued me because He delights in me.”

Can you imagine that? The God who created the heavens and the earth sings over you. He looks at you and delights in the person that you are! He delights in you- not because of what you’ve done, but because of who you are to Him. And this delight is not based on your performance. It’s rooted in His unchanging love as a Father.

Because He delights in you, He has rescued you and has called you His own. You are not what the world labels you. You are not what society tell you to be.

You are a son. You are a daughter.

1 John 3:1 puts it this way: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

This is not just theology. This is identity!

Sons and Daughters, Not Strangers

When we come to Christ, we’re not just given salvation- we are given a new name, a new purpose, and a new identity. We are adopted into a family. We go from being orphans to heirs. Galatians 4:6-7 tells us, “Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So, you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir.”

This identity is unshakable. It’s not tied to your past, your failures, your achievements, or even your feelings. It is anchored in Jesus alone.

Living from Identity, Not for Identity

Our Jesus following life is not about earning our place in God’s heart, it’s about living from the place of what He’s already given us. When we understand who we are in Christ it changes everything. We begin to live boldly, freely, and worship deeply- not out of obligation, but from revelation and awe.

Your identity is not something you have to chase. It’s something you get to receive.

So today, ask yourself: What is forming me?

Is it the voice of the world or the voice of my Father? Am I living like a stranger trying to fit in, or like a son or daughter who already belongs to God?

May we be a church that is rooted deeply in the truth of Jesus, formed by His love, and confident in the identity He has given us!
Let’s reject the cheap, false identities the world offers and step fully into who God says we are: delighted in, chosen and called His.

Some resources to help you on your journey of finding identity in Jesus:

1. Read the book of Romans (the Bible Project video breakdown of Romans)

2. The Best of You Podcast by Dr.Alison Cook3. Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chloe

3. Holier Than Thou by Jackie Hill Perry

4. Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want To Do by Jonathan Pokluda