How do I know who I am?

What’s your profile/username? Are you straight, gay, or bi? What are your pronouns?
It seems like everyone today is looking, asking, or even demanding for you to identify yourself. Social media profiles, college applications, coworkers, and friends are quick to ask for your identity these days. Have you noticed a common theme among them all though? Many platforms or people are looking for you to identify sexually.
So what is your identity? The answer has three parts.

Who are you?

Part 1: You are a treasured, valued being, uniquely created and specially cared for by our God, whose image you bear.
This essential question for humans must be answered on a much deeper level than sex or sexuality. In Genesis 1 and 2 notice how carefully and thoughtfully God created man and woman as the crowning jewel of his creation. Humans are unique and distinct from all other creatures because we bear the image of God himself (Genesis 1:26-27). Other Bible verses tell us how God uniquely creates, molds, and shapes each one of us in the womb (Psalm 139:13-18, Job 10:8-12). Psalm 139:14 is right to say that we are fearfully and wonderfully made! God truly cares for all of us. (Matthew 6:25-34)

Who are you?

Part 2: You are also a sinner who has fallen short of the glory of God. Sadly, these treasured humans rebelled against their Maker and Creator and sinned against God (Genesis 3). Not only were there everyday consequences for their sin, but the ultimate consequence would be the separation from God known as death (Genesis 3:19). From those first parents, sinfulness is passed down to all of us. We not only bear the image of God as his special creatures, but we also bear the tainted image of our parents. The Bible says we are sinful from birth, and even from the time we are conceived (Psalm 51:5). No one has escaped this (Psalm 14:3, Romans 3:10-18).
This sinfulness shows itself in many ways in this world and in our own personal lives. Hatred, violence, greed, lies, sexual immorality, and more separate us from each other and from our God. Every single one of us has a heart that sins against God. As Scripture says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

It’s important to note, however, that merely experiencing sinful brokenness is not the same as willfully sinning. Any and all sin separates us from God, whether willful or not. But we must be careful not to equate the presence of temptation or suffering in a believer’s life – which is to be expected – with a deliberate rebellion against God, which is to be taken much more seriously.

Who are you?

Part 3: By faith in Jesus Christ, you are a forgiven, dearly loved child of God! Here’s why:

God doesn’t take pleasure in our death (Ezekiel 33:11). Instead, he wants us to know him and his love and to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4). That’s why he so loved the world that he sent his Son Jesus (John 3:16). Jesus lived perfectly in your place and died to pay for your sin. His life and death declare you innocent (justified) freely by his grace (Romans 3:23).
This is a gift of his grace and belongs to you personally by faith (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9).
In Baptism God clothes you with everything Jesus is and did for you (Galatians 3:26-27, Romans 6:4-8).
God now sees you as his own dear child, bought with the blood of Christ! “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)

Don’t forget who you are! This world wants you to identify in so many different ways—by your race or ethnicity or social status or even your sexuality. But these are merely things about you. They shape your experience and your story, and God will likely use them to help you and others grow. But to find your true core, go back to the beginning. Your identity begins and ends with God. You are his specially made creation: an image-bearer of God, a fallen sinner, a forgiven child, and dearly loved by our Savior Jesus Christ.