This idea of identity and belonging is big in the bible as well. It’s key to the story of the gospel that because of Christ I now belong. I have found my identity in Christ and my belonging in the family of God. We all want identity and belonging, we all long for it and God knows we need it. The last book of the bible talks about this in an interesting way,

Rev. 3:12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.

Clearly, when Christ is done and we have been claimed by him he will mark us as his own. All will know who is our Lord, what is our Location and who has given us Life. Ownership, identity, belonging will finally be settled once for all. We will eternally be His.

“Who are you?” someone might ask. You can now answer with clarity from Jesus, “I belong to God, my home is in the new Jerusalem and my relationship is with Jesus himself.” If that doesn’t give you an identity, a belonging then nothing will!

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The post Identity first appeared on CHRISTIAN REP.

We are even consumers as we watch a sunset. “Isn’t that beautiful?” “What amazing colors!” It’s as if the sunset was meant for our entertainment. In that moment we miss the main intent of a beautiful sunset- it’s meant to inspire worship of God. Yes, we are to enjoy the beauty of the site, but the goal of that amazing sight is worship. God, you are so amazing! Thank you for this beautiful sunset. Thank you for what you have made!

One of the problems with being a consumer is that we are never satisfied. We have been programed to be dissatisfied and always wanting more. A beautiful sunset for a consumer would generate this response, “Yeah, that was good, but you should have seen it yesterday…that was amazing!”

Consumers see everything in light of themselves. It’s all about me. If a consumer comes to church the church is less for the experience. The consumer will be focused on what he or she wants and needs. They are not there to worship God, but to be entertained…to be fed…to have their needs met.

But what a different experience a worshiper has at sunset and at church. Their response is directed towards God. “Thank you, God, for your amazing creation. Thank you for letting me see this amazing thing you have made!” In church the response is similar. Whether hymns or contemporary music they are focused on God and not on what they want or like. They are there to worship God! The style of music doesn’t bother them….it’s all a way for them to praise and worship God. Worshipers are as happy with hymns as they are with praise choruses.

The contrasts continue with preaching, building style, how nice the people are and a hundred other issues that define us as either consumers or worshipers. The challenge for us, in a consumer rich culture, is to live our lives as worshipers with our eyes on heaven and not on ourselves. No church can rise above who the people worship. If we worship ourselves the church is doomed. If we worship God there will be amazing things happen among us.

So which are you – a consumer or a worshiper?

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