How does John 1:22 challenge us to clarify our identity in Christ? Setting the Scene: A Direct Question Meets a Prepared Heart John 1:22 — “So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’” • The delegation from Jerusalem presses John the Baptist for a straight answer. • Their demand forces him to articulate, in unmistakable terms, who he is—and who he is not. • John responds by anchoring his identity in Scripture rather than in titles, roles, or public opinion (see v. 23). How John Models Clarity of Identity • He refuses borrowed glory: “I am not the Christ” (v. 20). • He rejects human labels that fall short of God’s call—neither Elijah reincarnated nor “the Prophet” of Deuteronomy 18. • He embraces the role God assigned: “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness” (v. 23). • He stays Christ-centered: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30). Why This Matters for Every Believer • The same world still asks, “Who are you?”—through work badges, social media profiles, and cultural expectations. • In Christ, identity is given, not invented (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1). • Clarity protects against comparison, insecurity, and mission drift (Galatians 1:10). • A settled identity frees us to point others to Jesus, just as John did. Core Truths That Define Us in Christ • Children of God — John 1:12 • New creations — 2 Corinthians 5:17 • Crucified with Christ, yet living by faith — Galatians 2:20 • God’s workmanship, created for good works — Ephesians 2:10 • A chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation — 1 Peter 2:9 • Co-heirs with Christ — Romans 8:17 • Hidden with Christ in God — Colossians 3:3 Practical Ways to Clarify Your Identity 1. Start each day with Scripture that names who you are in Christ; let God’s Word speak before the world does. 2. Memorize one identity verse per week; recite it whenever false labels surface. 3. Serve in ways that spotlight Jesus rather than yourself; obscurity can sharpen identity. 4. Weed out self-descriptions that conflict with Scripture (e.g., “I’m worthless,” “I’m alone”). 5. Surround yourself with believers who affirm gospel truth over cultural noise. 6. Keep a journal of “I am” statements drawn from Scripture; review it whenever doubts rise. Identity Statements to Speak Aloud • I am accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6). • I am redeemed and forgiven (Colossians 1:13-14). • I am a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). • I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6). • I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved me (Romans 8:37). • I am appointed to bear lasting fruit (John 15:16). Living the Answer to “Who Are You?” • Let Christ’s finished work silence every competing narrative. • Speak of yourself the way Scripture does—no more, no less. • Make every role (parent, employee, friend) a stage for the single testimony: “Behold, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). When the world asks, “Who are you?” John 1:22 invites a confident reply rooted in the unchanging identity granted by Christ—and that answer, lived out daily, points straight back to Him. |
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