Knowing Your True Identity Defines Your Responsibilities By Rick Warren
“[Moses] chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time” (Hebrews 11:25 NIV).
Yesterday we talked about how knowing God helps you understand your identity. Today we’re going to see how knowing your true identity helps you define your responsibilities. It helps you understand what God expects of you—and what he doesn’t.
I learned long ago that God doesn’t expect me to sing opera. If you heard me sing, you’d know why. One day when I stand before God, he’s not going to judge me for how I sang. Singing is a gift he didn’t give me. It’s not what I was created to do.
We’ve been looking at the life of Moses. God planned Moses’ life events to prepare him to deliver the nation of Israel from slavery in Egypt. God planned that Moses would be born a slave but raised as royalty.
When Moses learned his God-given identity, his true responsibility became clear. He could no longer ignore the cries of people in pain. He chose to accept responsibility for delivering his people from slavery.
Hebrews 11:25 says it like this: “[Moses] chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time” (NIV).
What about you? As you get to know God better, you get to know yourself better. As you get to know yourself better, you understand your God-given responsibilities more clearly.
Some people live like they’re responsible for everything. That leads to worry, a warning sign that you’re taking on too much responsibility. You’re not responsible for everything. But you are responsible to be what God made you to be. Romans 14:12 says it like this: “Each of us will give an account of himself to God” (ESV).
God chose Moses’ parents so that Moses would be a Hebrew who could deliver his people from slavery. God used your parents in order to make you uniquely you.
Many circumstances of Moses’ life were difficult, but God used them for good. The same is true of you. God chose for you to be born, and he can use every detail of your life for good.
Your choice is whether you’ll say yes to God and no to other things. Moses said no to living as an Egyptian prince. He said yes to accepting his God-given responsibility.
As you learn your God-given identity, your responsibilities will become clear, too. You’ll learn when to say no and when to say yes. Knowing your identity will define the things you are responsible for.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Your Gift Brings Hope to the World
Thank you for helping restore broken hearts with the hope of Jesus!
I am so grateful to be on mission with you! Your gift today is a bold statement that you want to be a light in this world and make an eternal impact for Jesus Christ.
As thanks for your gift, we’re excited to send you the "Hope Is Born: A Christmas Scripture Collection" Scripture cards. This set of 52 beautifully designed cards brings the joy of the season to life, each sharing a powerful verse celebrating the hope and wonder of Jesus’ birth.
Request yours below when you give, and thank you for going on mission to reach our world with the love of Jesus!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of “current offer” materials you received from Daily Hope.
