Have you ever pondered on the question, who are you? It is a question of identity and who you really are. It is a question that calls for a deep self-examination. Somebody may title himself “Professor, Chief, Apostle, Dr., or Prophet.” Another may say he is a “Demon Destroyer.” What matters most is that you are what you call yourself and not hiding under the disguise of titles to deceive people. Our secret lives must show that we are children of God, indeed, and not hypocrites. Temptations ask us on daily basis, who are we? And may we not fail to give proper account of ourselves.
In Genesis 39, all Mrs. Potiphar wanted to know from Joseph was “who are you?” Joseph by his actions answered, “I am a Hebrew boy who fears God.” How much of your words are true report after the heavy appellations to your name? Are you truly a child of God? Do you have a personal and public testimony that you are indeed a child of God?
Beyond your titles and labels, what is more important is that you are truly a child of God and God knows you are His own child. Titles alone do not produce respect. People inspire respect because of who they are, not what they are called.
In John Chapter One, it is clear that John did not take a misnomer, despite the pressure that was put on him by the people sent by the Jews. They were expecting John to say He is the Christ or the Prophet that the scripture has spoken of. It was at a time the Jews were expecting the Messiah to come on the scene and there were many false prophets who were leading the people astray. The Jewish leaders were then doing there job, coming to investigate John to bring a report back to the Sanhedrin—the high council in Jerusalem that they might determine what to think about John. Answering Messiah John or Prophet John may have attracted more honour, but John refused because He knows whom he was. John denied being Christ, being Elijah and being a prophet. He said he was only a voice in the wilderness crying for people to make their way straight for the coming of the Lord. John is the herald of the coming king. He is not the Light, but he is a witness to the Light. The world will always give us opportunities to esteem ourselves more highly than we ought, but those who are growing in godliness see themselves as unworthy slaves (Luke 17:10).
Many people because of where they find themselves and their actions have taken titles that are opposite of who they are. Find out who you are?
After wrestling all night with Jacob, the angel asked Jacob, what is your name?
He was asking if Jacob had wrestled sufficiently with his own identity. “What is your name?”
In this context, it can be understood as, “Are you still Jacob, the deceiver or are you ready to become Israel, the person of conscience?” When God asks a question, it is not for the sake of an answer, but for the sake of an inner response, a change in the person. God at this point was calling the attention of Jacob to his old self and the need for a change into a new man. God is calling us today for a change of identity from our old sinful nature to newness in Christ.
• Today’s nugget: A call to change of identity. Prayer: That the character of Christ be formed in me.
Prayer lines: 08033299824.E-mail: [email protected]. Rev. Abel UkachiAmadi. General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria
