The sweet psalmist of Israel describes some of the results of this attitude toward God's Word. "Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart...Through Thy precepts I get understanding...Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them."

It is the privilege of every child of God to enjoy the spiritual nourishment of God's Word. Christian parents have the added privilege of leading their children to share in its richness. Indeed, Scripture describes the parents' responsibility in this way: "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day (i.e., to love God with all your being), shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children..."

Recently my pastor preached from Acts 4:23-37. It was a brilliant sermon and I was sure to tell him so. An older Asian woman sat alone on the pew in front of me. She appeared delicate and classy. I specifically noticed her because she entered the sanctuary a few minutes after the service began. As the songs were sung I could hear her singing with a loud voice. She did not sing entirely in tune and I honestly believe that she did not care. Then, in the middle of the last verse, as Pastor ascended the lectern that would serve as an obligatory buttress between him and his congregation, this lady sat quietly, folded her hands and began to pray. I was inspired. Not by the act, per se. But, more by what that act represents: a heart that wants to hear from the God of the Ages.

Pastor began his sermon. He was articulating what the Church should look like by weaving together the strands of proper theology, the history of the Church, and practical illustration for meaningful application. All the while, this lady sat directly in my field of view. I watched as she would nod her head with each point of Pastor’s sermon. I thought, “She gets it - - she gets the Gospel - - she is experiencing freedom of worship - - and she likes it.” I couldn’t help but smile. On two separate occasions during that sermon I watched as she pumped her fist with a deep nodding of her head and I could overhear her gentle whispers saying, “Yes! Yes!” She literally sat on the edge of her seat. She was deeply enjoying the means of grace. Her worship of Christ through the spoken word was awe-inspiring.

What do all these statements have in common? At their root is the question of identity. They raise the question of what gives me uniqueness, the right to act, or constancy in changing circumstances. Identification is an important part of life. If it were not, there would be no need for label makers, diagnostic systems, or personalized license plates.

Who am I? This three-word question has challenged history’s greatest philosophers. The challenge of this article, however, is not to answer the question 2000 years of brilliant minds could not, but rather to determine what Christ has done in the life of a believer to provide a satisfying and sustaining sense of identity? When God makes a believer a new creation, how should that event—salvation—change their self-perception and social interactions?