A well-dressed couple walk into a reception room filled with guests for a new product launch. They do not really recognise any of the faces, but they ARE sure they ARE  in the right room, because of the obvious product branding etc. They are approached by a distinguished looking gentleman, who introduces himself as the Managing Director of the company and asks the most important question, “who are you?” They introduce themselves as Dr & Dr (Mrs) James. Immediately the managing director’s face brightens up and he shakes their hands vigorously, ushers them into the room, takes them to the high table and makes them comfortable. They were obviously very important people and much needed at the product launch, perhaps for a major professional endorsement. Contrast this with another couple, who walked in and met the same managing director, who asked them who they were and they said they were Mr & Mrs Ball, the MD has no knowledge of who they are and so he goes on further to ask some more probing questions, but he still cannot connect them to anything, so he looks over his shoulders and summons one of the ushers to take them to one of the seats reserved for ‘others’ in the hall.

Whether you realise this or not, this important question is posed to us every day and in different circumstances. How you respond determines how you are treated. People will ask you; Circumstances will ask you; the devil will ask you; You will even ask yourself; and God sometimes ask you, ‘who are you?’

I want to suggest to you that this one of the most important questions you would have to answer in your life! Who are you?

Jesus asked His disciples this question in the region of Caesarea Philippi, Who do you say I am? The devil asked the seven sons of Sceva in the book of Acts chapter 19:14 ‘Jesus we know and Paul we know, but who are you’? Jonah was asked on the troubled boat ‘who are you?’ and Jacob was asked by God what is your name or who are you? Remember Pilate tried to define Jesus, he asked Him ‘are you a king?’

Most times when people or circumstances ask this question, they are trying to define you and categorise you and then decide quite quickly how they would deal with you and what level of respect they should accord you. Most times, they define you based on what you say or what others have said about you. These definitions can limit you and they can also affect how you deal with situations.

But the most profound understanding I got from looking at this subject is that what you think of yourself is very powerful. What men say of you may affect you, but it does not have to stick. What circumstances have tried to make you does not have to become your identity.

But what you think about yourself has great power to affect you and stick on your life. It can make or break you and I suspect many people have this area unresolved. The bible says “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he!’ Proverbs 23:7.

The only person who has the right to define and categorise you is your creator. Simon’s parents named him Simon, meaning ‘heard’ or ‘hearkening’, but Jesus said he shall be called Peter of a rock. Solid. Stable. Dependable. Jacob’s parents called him usurper, one who grabs at the heel, the Lord called him Israel, which means a Prince of God or A Prince with God. God has given as all a unique identity and knowing who you are in Christ and who God has predestined you to be is one of the biggest weapons you can ever have in your life.

Allow me to tell you that Ephesians 2:10 tells me You are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand that you should walk in them. Let me tell you that you are a child of God, John 1:12 tells me “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” so If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you are a child of God. God is your daddy. That is a game changer in any situation. Let me tell you that you are both a priest and King and you have dominion in this earth. Revelations 1: 5-6 tells us “and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Next time you are confronted with a situation that seeks to define you, simply answer that you are a child of the Most High God. You are a King. You are redeemed. You are created for good works.

Finally, seek to really know whom God has made you and I guarantee you will never grope in the dark ever again or suffer the ignominy of being wrongly categorised and even if you are, you are never really affected because you know who you are.

Let’s Pray: Father thank you that before we were born, you already defined who we would be in this life. Lord please reveal to me my true identity in you and help me to start walking in that reality. Thank you for answering this prayer in Jesus name. Amen.