Who Am I?
I am a (gender). I am a fan of the (sports team). I voted for (candidate). I love to eat (favorite food). My family consists of (list of familial relationships). We each have preferences and identity traits that make us diverse. However, there are classifications where we all find commonality like our humanity, the nation we share, weather we experience, and the impartial ups and downs of life. What makes YOU different? What makes you unique as a follower of Christ?. Although God desires all to be saved (1Tim. 2:4), many will choose not to surrender to the Lord (Mt. 10:33). If you are one who has confessed the name of Jesus (Rom. 10:9), and been immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins (Acts. 2:28), you are born again (Jn. 3:3-5). The answer to the question, “Who am I”, can be found in the definitions of a follower of God.
I am…
A BELIEVER— “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” (Pet. 1:20,21). Believers have a sincere conviction in God and His message.
A SAINT— “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus” (Rev. 14:12). Saints have been sanctified and called out from the world.
A CHRISTIAN— “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians”n (Acts. 11:26). Christians have put on Jesus in baptism and represent Christ.
A DISCIPLE— “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). Disciples have obeyed the gospel and continue to learn about the faith.
A BROTHER OR SISTER— “For whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matt. 29:19). Brethren are part of the family of God.
A MEMBER— “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Rom. 12:5). Members of the church have become part of the universal church of Christ.
The King James Version rendering of 1 Pet. 2:9 reads, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” If being a believer, saint, Christian, dispel, brother or sister, and a member of the church makes me peculiar, then I do not want to be average or normal. Who amI? I am a follower of the I AM (Jn. 8:58).
Article by JJ Hendrix, Northwest Church of Christ