Identity Crises

There are moments in life when we are faced with the question of our identity.¹ Who are we really? Think of the person who, after years of hard work and personal sacrifice, unexpectedly loses a job that had become central to who they are. Or a cancer diagnosis that leads to reordering one’s whole life around this illness. And then there is the unimaginable loss of a child, resulting in the immediate disruption of a central part of one’s identity and sense of purpose. In moments like these, how does one begin to rebuild their sense of self? Is there something stable about our identity that can ground us, despite the chaos of life?

Aside from personal crises of identity, in our world we are bombarded with mixed messages that lead to confusion regarding who we really are. There are voices all around us, whether on social media, news broadcasts, podcasts, at church, school, or work, trying to tell us who we are or who we should be. It is difficult to discern who to listen to or who is right, especially when the message does not align with our feelings.

We live in a world broken by sin, and sin breaks our connection with God, with others, and even with ourselves (Gen 3:7–13; Isa 59:2; Eph 2:12–14). This brokenness and disconnect leads to confusion about our personal identity as well as to confusion about the gospel message and our role as witnesses to the world. With this in mind, this brief article will explore the importance of comprehending our identity in Christ and the repercussions of this identity for the Adventist message and mission.

Our Identity in Christ

Paul was one of the brightest young minds in Judaism of his day, having achieved so much already at a young age. He describes his former self as smart, confident, zealous, righteous, and blameless (Phil 3:4–6). But that proud, overconfident sense of self resulted in actions driven by feelings of anger and rage as he persecuted those who followed Jesus (Acts 26:11).

Once he met Christ, however, everything changed. Blinded by the bright light, he asked, “Who are you, Lord”? The reply came: “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting” (Acts 26:15).² In His answer to Paul, Jesus identified who Paul was in connection to Himself. “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” Jesus’ words demonstrate that He sees Himself as one with His people—what happens to them, happens to Him.³ His answer reveals that our identity is not separate from Him, but found in relationship with Him. In that moment, Paul began to see that understanding who Jesus is was the key to understanding who he was. In the same way, understanding the person of Christ is the key to understanding who we are. We were made to be connected to Him.⁴ Paul understood that this encounter with Christ completely transformed his understanding of his own identity. He no longer lived for himself, but having crucified his own self with Christ, it was now Christ who lived in him (Gal 2:20).

That our identity is found in connection to our Savior God is a common theme all throughout Scripture. Jacob’s struggle with God marked a turning point in his life: he was no longer the deceiver, but Israel (Gen 32:22–28). His identity and the identity of an entire nation after him would now be defined by their relationship to God. After living for forty years in the desert, the hesitant and insecure Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exod 3:11). God made it clear to him that it was not about him, his skills or capabilities, but about who God was, the great I AM (Exod 3:14). Similarly, Midian’s oppression of Israel left Gideon fearful and in doubt. But when the angel of the Lord appeared to him, he said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor” (Judg 6:12). It was not Gideon’s bravery and strength that would win them the battle, but the Lord working through him and his army.

In the New Testament this relationship becomes more explicit and focused on Jesus Christ. In Colossians 3:3–4, Paul writes, “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” This passage again demonstrates that our true identity is found in Christ.⁵ He is our life, and we are hidden in Him. Because He died on the cross, we have been freed from the slavery of sin (Rom 6:6–7). Because He rose again, we have been given new life and will one day rise again to be with Him for all eternity (Rom 6:4–5; 1 Cor 15:20–22). Because He ascended to heaven, we have an advocate who speaks on our behalf before the heavenly courts (Heb 4:14–16; 1 John 2:1). Because He is the Head of the church, we have a family to call our own (Rom 12:4–5; Eph 1:22–23; Col 1:18). His story is our story. His death is our death, His life is our life, and His victory is our victory.

If our identity is found in Christ, some might wonder whether this means that we lose our uniqueness and individuality, with an identity imposed on us by our Creator. In reality, because Christ is our life, when we are disconnected from Him, we also lose sight of who we really are, becoming lost and confused about our identity. But when Christ is allowed to shine through us, our true, unique identity shines the brightest. A stained glass window is formed out of pieces that are unique in color, shape, and size. But only when light shines through it is its true beauty revealed. It comes to life. In the same way, “when Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col 3:4). Our individuality is not lost, but rather fully revealed. We become who God created us to be, with all of the unique characteristics that He created in us. In Him, we become complete (Col 2:10 NASB).⁶ When we exalt Christ and allow Him to shine through us, that is when we find our true identity.

Finding one’s identity is intimately connected with finding one’s purpose in life. When Paul encountered Christ on the road to Damascus, he not only understood who he was in connection to Christ, but he was also given a new mission: to be a servant and a witness for Christ (Acts 26:16).⁷ From being a persecutor of the name of Jesus, Christ appointed him to serve and testify about His name to the Gentiles, witnessing of the true life that is only found in Christ. Only a real, life-changing encounter with Christ can turn timid disciples into bold missionaries, or a persecutor of the church into one of the greatest apostles who sacrificed everything for the gospel.

When Christ truly transforms our life and we understand everything that He has done for us, we cannot do otherwise than to share the life-giving power of the gospel with others, spreading the light of Christ everywhere we go. When we find our true identity in Christ, we also find our purpose in life: to witness about the One who made us who we are, allowing Him to shine bright so that others might also find themselves in Him. Our identity and our purpose are found in exalting Christ.

Adventist Identity

But how does our identity in Christ relate specifically to Adventist identity? According to Scripture, some people will attempt to take Christ’s place and to distort who He is and what He has done for us. Paul, for example, warned the Corinthian church about how even the most sincere and devoted Christians may be led astray by people who proclaim a different Jesus or a different gospel (2 Cor 11:3–4; cf. Gal 1:6–9). Jesus also taught that in the end times “many will come in my name, saying ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray” (Matt 24:5), if possible, even the elect (Matt 24:24). The book of Revelation also talks about deceptions and distortions of the gospel that will increase near the time of the second coming (Rev 13).

If our identity is found in Christ, and if His story is our story, then it is important to know the truth about who Christ is and what God is doing through Christ for us. Our Adventist message aims to uphold the truth about Christ found in Scripture and to preach the everlasting gospel, giving God the glory, and worshipping Him who made heaven and earth (Rev 14:6–7). As Mervyn Maxwell wrote, “Seventh-day Adventism is basically a message about Jesus."⁸

When we remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy (Exod 20:8), we are declaring that Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath, our Creator and Redeemer (Mark 2:27–28). He is the one who sustains us, who gives us rest, and who longs to be in a relationship with us. When we honor the Sabbath, we give honor and glory to God and experience what it means to delight in the Lord (Isa 58:13–14).⁹

When we teach about the state of the dead, we are sharing the truth about Christ who is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25). Death is an enemy (1 Cor 15:26), but Christ has conquered that enemy and one day death will be no more, neither will there be mourning or crying or pain (1 Cor 15:54–55; Rev 21:4). He promises that those who believe in Him will not perish but will be given eternal life (John 3:16)—life that is glorious, abundant, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, just as He had always intended for us (1 Cor 15:42–45).¹⁰

When we preach about the sanctuary, we are sharing the message about Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), our High Priest and the only Mediator between God and men (1 Tim 2:5). He is able to save those who draw near to God through Him and always lives to make intercession for us (Heb 7:25). He alone is holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens (Heb 7:26).¹¹

When we talk about the spirit of prophecy, we are calling attention to how the Holy Spirit has testified about Christ through the prophets (Luke 24:25–27;
Acts 3:18, 21–24), from the time of the Old Testament all the way through to our days with the ministry of Ellen G. White. We are called to listen to the prophets of God (2 Chron 20:20; Amos 3:7) who have the testimony of Jesus (Rev 19:10 NKJV; cf. Rev 22:9).¹²

When we live according to an Adventist lifestyle, we are glorifying Christ in our bodies, whether we eat or drink or whatever we do (1 Cor 10:31), because we were bought with a price and want to honor Him who dwells in us (1 Cor 6:20). Because He is holy, we are also called to be holy (1 Pet 1:16; cf. Lev 11:44).¹³

And when we preach about the soon coming of Jesus (Rev 22:12, 20), we are sharing the truth about Christ as the victorious King, who is coming soon to vindicate His people and claim them for Himself (Rev 19:11–16). He is also the righteous Judge who will execute judgment against those who reject Him and will eliminate all evil forevermore (Acts 17:31; 2 Tim 4:1, 8). Then the whole world will declare that He is King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16).¹⁴

We believe that Jesus is indeed coming soon (Rev 22:7, 12, 20).¹⁵ Our unique prophetic understanding of where we are in salvation history places us in the final chapters of the fight between good and evil (Rev 10, 13–14). It is an important message, because of the confusion about who Jesus really is. It is a life-changing message, because knowing Jesus changes our outlook on life and on the world. And it is an urgent message, because we know that time is short.

If our Adventist message is a message about Christ, then our mission is to exalt Him and to let Him shine through our message about Him. As Ellen G. White writes,

Jesus is the living center of everything. Put Christ into every sermon. Let the preciousness, mercy, and glory of Jesus Christ be dwelt upon until Christ is formed within. . . . Let us gather together that which our own experience has revealed to us of the preciousness of Christ, and present it to others as a precious gem that sparkles and shines.¹⁶

Our unique Adventist message of Christ and His soon return leads us to be His witnesses engaged in the everyday mission of sharing the truth about Christ. Because identity and purpose are so closely related, our Adventist identity is intimately connected to mission. Whether that mission is reflecting Christ in our words and deeds, whether it is telling our personal story to coworkers and friends, whether it is feeding the hungry and showing love to those who need it, or whether it is one’s professional calling as a minister or a missionary, we are called to join in this mission of exalting Christ in the world, sharing His great love for us and proclaiming the eternal gospel to every nation and tribe and language and people.

Conclusion

To say that our identity is found in Christ does not mean that we are cured of all our personal moments of self-doubt and confusion. It is normal for us to feel lost sometimes or out of place at different points in our lives, disconnected from ourselves or from others. But when Christ becomes our life, He gives us the certainty of His faithful presence and His love for us. He fills us with a sense of value as children of the Most High God. If our relationship with Him is strong, He fills us with peace and contentment, regardless of our external circumstances. There is nothing quite as incredible as realizing that the Creator of the universe loves you and knows you by name, that He understands you and makes you a better person. In Him, we have a place, an identity, a purpose, a life filled with meaning.

Unless we truly know Jesus and unless Christ is at the center of our identity, all of our efforts to preach the gospel will be in vain. It is in Christ that the true power of the Adventist message resides. To know Christ deeply and to know the power of His resurrection, to gain Christ and to be found in Him (Phil 3:9–10)—it is in this relationship that our true identity and mission are grounded.