Freedom and authority in life begin from Identity. Our identity is what gives us access to our destined purpose.
When charting a course in destiny, the subject of identity becomes crucial.
What is identity?
- Your identity talks about who you are, the way you think about yourself, the way you are viewed by the world, and the characteristics that define you.
- Identity is also the difference of character that marks off an individual from the rest of the same kind, selfhood.
- It’s also a sense of who one is.
- It is a combination of your personality traits, abilities, physical attributes, interests, hobbies, and so on.
Why is identity important?
Firstly, maintaining self-identity is important because it strengthens your character.
That is, when we know who we are, have confidence in our self and are able to identify our strengths, we emerge as stronger individuals.
Secondly, it keeps us unique and distinguishes us from everyone else.
Identity plays an important role in empowering individuals to exercise their rights and responsibilities fairly and equitably in a modern society.
Issues with having a wrong identity
An identity crisis may cause:
- Depression
- feelings of frustration,
- being stuck, or
- lacking meaningful progression.
- living below standard and function
- You may lose your self-worth
- Blaming yourself for every little wrong done. Mind you, this is different from accepting responsibility
- You may seek validation from someone else
- Heartbreak
- Pain
- Low self-esteem
- Guilt and many more
How does self-image affect identity?
Your sense of identity has to do with who you think you are and how you perceive yourself.
It has to do with your sense of self-worth and how you define yourself.
Both affect your mental health, your behavior, and how you relate to other people.
To get more understanding of how self-image affects your identity, see the article on self-image here.
What was man’s original identity at creation?
In the creation story, we find that God gave dominion to a special kind of creature which he called man.
According to God’s eternal counsel, whoever falls under this category of man has dominion over all that he created.
This being called a man was created by God, and a special blessing was pronounced upon him, this blessing differentiates man from other creatures and makes him unique.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Genesis 1:28 (KJV)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Matthew 25:24 (KJV)
The scripture above tells us that God’s kingdom has been prepared from the foundation of the world.
What then is the kingdom of God?
- The kingdom of God is a sphere, a place, economy, or system of life or living.
- It’s everywhere God is. God is omnipresent. So check around you, that’s God’s kingdom.
- Its righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 14:17 (KJV)
Back then in Eden, God’s original plan and intent was the kingdom and he intends for this to happen by providing a 3-fold protocol which are:
- Priesthood
- The Prophetic
- Kingship
Priesthood
This is the art of securing a portal or an atmosphere here on earth that makes it legal for spirits to operate.
It talks about serving as an intermediary between the physical plane and the spiritual plane
The Prophetic
The simple and layman’s definition of this term is, getting information from the spirit realm and communicating it to the physical realm.
The kingship
This talks about being in charge, overseeing, and exercising authority, and dominion.
These concepts will be spoken of in detail in our subsequent write-ups. Stay tuned.
But, when man fell due to the lies he believed about himself from the devil, he lost his true identity to the chief deceiver.
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)
Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
John 16:11 (KJV)
From the above, we see the chief deceiver called by several titles, god of this world, prince of this world. Other references where he was referred to as prince are John 14:13, and 1 Corinthians 2:8.
This dilemma proved the sayings of the preacher in Ecclesiastes true.
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
Ecclesiastes 10:7 (KJV)
This issue of lost identity became a burden to the creator and he sent Jesus to come fix this identity problem.
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Revelation 5:10 (KJV)
Due to this restoration of identity, there are some privileges accrued to this identity as seen below.
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Revelation 5:12 (KJV)
From Matthew 16:13, 16, 18-19, When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that I the Son of man am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
From the bible passage above, we see Jesus asking his disciples about his identity.
Before this time, Jesus went to pray and it seems God the Father told him that his identity has been revealed to someone or discovered by someone.
So, He came back with a questionnaire to find out who it was. Also, a special kind of authority will be given to that person who cared to discover.
Even demons know identity.
And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
Acts 19:15 (KJV)
From the scripture above, we see a tangible question asked by the demons “who are you?”.
This subject of identity was so important to God and Jesus that twice, God had to announce Jesus’ identity twice. Matt 3:17, 17:15.
This implies that our existence on earth is to rule and not to be governed by the elements of the earth.
Advantages of Knowing Your Identity In Christ.
When you see yourself from the light of God’s word which is the true mirror for humans, you will find the following.
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 1:6 (KJV)
Who are you?
By redemption, you have been made “king-priest”. Rev 1:6,5:10.
Even from creation man was designed to function in this mode. Gen 1:26,28 “king”, Gen 2:15 “priest”.
When man lost this, God in his mercy chose the people of Israel as a specimen of his original intention.
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Exodus 19:6 (KJV)
They failed to enter into the full scope of God’s plan and he had only the option of the tribe of Levi for priesthood and Judah for kingship.
But, in Jesus was God’s intent fully captured.
He’s from the royal tribe of Judah and our great high priest.
Then through his blood, we are all included in this great plan of God.
So by the sacrifice of Jesus, your true identity can be seen.
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 marvellous light:
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
So, having known your true identity, for you to function effectively according to design, we must then look into how you were designed to function which in this article, I call “redemptive rights”.
The word rights as used in this context means “A legal or moral entitlement”.
The word legal here reminds us of a law court or a judicial system.
Rights can only be enjoyed as contained in the law. Hence, in Revelation 5, we see a sealed book containing these rights which only Jesus could read.
Having gained these redemptive rights, we are to enforce them here as kings and priests not just to discuss them.
We can only do this by enforcing them by our authority through prayer.
God bless you.
