By Doug Redford
In these technological times, many have fallen victim to identity theft. Those of you who have experienced this know what an ordeal it can be to have your identity “restored.”
There is, however, an even more sinister identity theft that has been going on in the spiritual realm since God’s creation of human beings. Satan has attempted to rob us of our standing as people created in the image of God with purpose, worth, and dignity. His efforts shattered the harmony between God and Adam and Eve, and he has been on the prowl like a “roaring lion” ever since (1 Peter 5:8).
Jesus said of Satan, “He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44, New Living Translation).
How did Jesus address the issue of our identity theft? Stealing Satan’s “identity” was out of the question. Jesus’ solution was not the identity theft of Satan but what amounted to Jesus’ identity loss. Philippians 2:6-8 says it best:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!*
Jesus experienced that identity loss so we could regain the identity we were created to have: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).
Paul tells us that at Communion, we “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). We look back on the event that made it possible for our true, God-given identity to be restored. But we realize that we are still “works in progress.” Jesus’ coming again will mark the day when our identity in him becomes complete.
As John went on to say in 1 John 3, “What we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
In Heaven, the identity theft carried out by Satan will be fully and eternally reversed. And the thief himself will be eternally banished.
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*All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities come.
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