Dual Identity
Dual Identity
To the temporary residents dispersed . . . chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ. (1 Pet. 1:1–2)
Loved and Accepted
Our governing officials attain their position when a majority votes for them. But as Christians we don’t “attain” our salvation; it is given to us. God’s vote is the only one that counts. And because the work of Christ has been imputed to us, our approval rating in God’s sight is and will always be 100 percent. We can rest in that knowledge. Our responsibility and privilege is simply to keep believing the gospel, which He enables us to do.
Hated and Rejected
But at the same time that we are loved and accepted by God, we are also hated and rejected by the world. This is to be expected because Jesus said if the world hated Him, it will hate us also, because we are His followers (see John 15:18).
This dual identity—loved by God and hated by the world—guides our lives. We have security, joy, and purpose as God’s children, but our trust and enjoyment of these things will be challenged by a world that largely rejects us and our message. It is up to us to decide which aspect of our identity will carry the greatest weight in our daily lives. When we allow God’s love and acceptance to rule our hearts, the rest doesn’t matter.
Bottom Line
Our identity as children of God is what enables us to bear up under the rejection of the world without losing our confidence and hope.