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I am who I am because He loved me

Identity. That's one of the many things people get confused with these days.

 Some base it on their achievements. To name a few:
Titles.
Last names.
People surrounding us.
The amount of money on our pay checks.
Past. Present and Future.

 But is that who we really are? When all of this are gone, then who are we? All of the above are temporary things..When all of this fades, do our identities also fade?

 'I am who I am'

 Then I read the words of the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 15 verse 10:
'But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favour on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.'

 Paul before becoming an apostle of Jesus Christ was a murderer, a zealous persecutor. He was also a highly educated man. Yet, when you read the following passages, he speaks of his identity not of what he had done in the past; not what he was doing at that time (church planter and disciple maker) or all that he has attained or the titles he gained. 

 He was who he was all because of God's grace. His identity is based on only that- God's unconditional love.
'Ang tinuod na gugma naay resulta.'

Isn't that true even in our lives right now? There's always a stark difference the moment we found the love of our lives or the reason anniversaries are celebrated by many couples- because love made a difference in their lives. How much more on the day we discover ourselves of the love of Christ? We were never the same again!

For real love is 'not without results'. Not just results- good and true like with Paul. His real identity was based on the time he realized that God loved him all along despite of the things he has done like what he also said in Romans 5:8- Though he was still a sinner, God loved Him and Christ died for Him.

Our Identities: God's Beloved
God is love. If He is our Creator and we are His creation, our very purpose in life is LOVE. But specifically, to 'be loved' by the one who is love Himself. He created us for Himself, for a relationship with Him. 

At the same time, like vessels that could not contain the 'poured out ' favour of God, it shows and 'not without results', evident and obvious- the very same love that changed us changes others with the overflow of grace being poured out also to others. 

Be loved and loving
Life makes sense when there is love in our lives. Our purpose is a constant drawing in and drawing out; pouring in and pouring out of love. Loving God (whom loved us first) and loving others (whom God made to love). 

As for me, its not what I've done or doing or about to do that makes who I am but Who God is (Love) and who I am to Him- His daughter, beloved, Bride, Servant and Soldier. How about you? What is you identity?   
#1corinthians15:10
#identity
#grace

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