August 14, Identity Lost
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our Apostle and High priest.
Hebrews 3:1
Identity loss: In 2017, research indicated that the number of consumers victimized by identity fraud reached an all-time high at 16.7 million victims. But believe it or not, there stands an even greater tragedy that occurs every day concerning identity. There are many who have lived their entire lives within the sound of the gospel and have been regularly postured in church activity but have never truly placed their faith in Jesus Christ. At times, an individual has an idea or a concept of spiritual truths but has never responded by faith to the gospel of Jesus Christ. In such a circumstance, the heart can grow indifferent to the whole message of the gospel.
A false identity: From the context of Hebrews 3, the Bible describes God’s grievance with the generation of Israelites who wandered in the desert in disobedience:
“I was provoked with that generation and said, ‘they always go astray in their hearts and they have not known my ways’.” (Hebrews 3:10)
Following this reference to Israel’s history, the Scriptures instruct,
“Watch out brothers, that there not be any among you with evil and unbelieving hearts that depart from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12)
There were those who, because of their familiarity with the things of God, thought they were saved, but were not. And they easily fell away. The term “unbelieving” comes from the Greek term, apistia (apostasy), which literally translates, the opposite of faith, or no faith.
Herein lies the tragedy with identity: many acted like others in the church, but never placed their faith in Jesus because for them "religious activity” seemed to be enough. Their hearts were wayward, and they did not truly know God’s ways. They practiced that which was opposite of faith: apistia (the act of unbelief).
Our true identity - in Christ: Hebrews 3:1 calls us to “consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,” expressing the core content of the truth that counters such unbelief. Jesus is described by the role of apostle - meaning One who was sent and One who has revealed God to us. Jesus is also described as High Priest, meaning that through His death and resurrection He has procured our redemption and salvation. People of God, this truth stands as our confession. This truth defines the content of our faith.
Hebrews 3:3 presents Christ as greater than Moses:
"Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.
(This was an essential message, for certain Jews gave greater allegiance to the law of Moses than to faith in Christ. Today, many continue the tragic mistake of placing greater value on religion than faith in Jesus.)
As Hebrews 3:6 proclaims,
"But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory."
Christ Jesus reigns over the house of God’s people, over the church. Therefore, as we hold to the confident hope and faith in Christ, we prove our place in that house.
Jesus is always the greater name – the only name, because in His faithfulness to the Father, Jesus became the builder of God’s household – the only way of salvation. While Moses was faithful in the house, Jesus stands as the supreme faithful One over the house.
Therefore, our confession of faith does not reflect religion, but rather the message and work of Jesus Christ. For, He is the true Apostle and High Priest.
So today, do not build your identity upon your good deeds, your religious practice, your parents’ heritage in the church, or on a whim of only believing about God. The only identity that matters is, “in Christ.” Do you know Jesus? Have you turned from your own ways and placed your faith in Him? There is no other way to be made right with God. Jesus is our only High priest. Trust Him. He is your identity.
Blessings.
READ
Read Hebrews 3:1-19 and see Jesus as the only true identity of faith.
