Will God or the World Define You?: Understanding Christian Identity in God’s Story

By David Blanchard

God’s story is the world’s true story and as part of that story He wants our hearts and affections directed toward Him. His story is infinite in significance, far reaching and deep in meaning, and more appealing than any individual story or stories that a person can craft on their own. Left to themselves without God, a person’s story involves falling away from Him and missing their true purpose. God’s story is a story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration starring the greatest hero of all-time, Jesus Christ, and through Him it culminates with the family of God being rescued to live eternally with God in a restored, perfect, sinless world. As Christians we are grateful to be saved from that falling away, and to be living inside His story instead of one separated from Him.

Not that our personal stories (encompassing our hopes, dreams, abilities, and loves) are insignificant to God. He loves us and is out for our good (Rom. 8:28). Our stories are important because He created us to have them, and they play a significant part in God’s larger story. But those stories are to be formed by, guided by, and lived out through the identity God intends for us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Nov 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798385009947

David Blanchard

While a Christian, David Blanchard’s identity, what guided everything about him, lacked much Godly influence, leading him to live an inauthentic, uneasy, and exhausting life. Then God used a four-word line in a book to open his eyes to the causes and he felt free. Led by the Holy Spirit to grow closer to God, he immersed himself in the Bible along with commentaries and books written by Christian pastors, philosophers, and theologians. Through that journey he came to realize the life-changing importance of forming a lasting identity based on who, and what, God describes and intends a Christian to be, rather than one determined through culture, the world, and his own devices.

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Will

God

or the World

Define You?

Understanding

Christian Identity in God’s Story

David Blanchard

Copyright © 2023 David Blanchard.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Unless otherwise indicated, All Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. As presented in the NASB Thinline Bible (2020 Text), published by Zondervan, 2021, all rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2016. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NET) are from the NET Bible, Full Notes Edition, published by Thomas Nelson. The NET Bible, New English Translation, copyright © 1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NET Bible® is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0992-3 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0993-0 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0994-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023919276

WestBow Press rev. date: 11/08/2023

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

Part I: Understanding Christian Identity

1 Will God or the World Define You?

2 Image Bearing Creation

3 Flawed and Sinful

4 Seeker That Repents

5 Free

6 Adopted Child of God

7 Fueled by Grace and Faith

8 New and Intertwined

9 Strong and Fruitful Through Dependence

10 Humble, Bold, and Fearless Servant

11 Worshiper—Transformed Through Worship

12 Follower and Disciple

13 Loyal to the Lord

14 Witness, Messenger, and Ambassador

15 Purposeful Creation

16 Affirming Our Christian Identity

Part II: Is the Stage Being Set?

17 Eyes Open and Alert

18 Transhumanism

19 Setting the Stage

20 Stand Firm

Epilogue

Appendix

Notes

Bibliography

Dedication

To Jeff, to Cait and her family, and to Jenn. Trust in who God says you are and live in the ways that He says you should go. Give your heart to Jesus, place your enduring and complete faith in God, persevere regardless of what comes, and we will live together eternally with God in a perfect, sinless world, filled with His light and love.

Acknowledgments

Loving gratitude to Catherine and to our three children, unknowing instruments in the hands of God to make a better man of me. Thanks to the Wednesday morning Bible study group for the conversations and insights (Andy, Bill, Bob, Brendan, Brian, Craig, Jack H, Jack T, Jamie, Jay, Jess, Jim, Laurence, Mark, Patrick, Randy, Suman, and Tom.) Special thanks to Jim M. for your wisdom and encouragement over the years.

Preface

So why write a book? While identifying as a Christian, my identity, how I saw myself, lacked much impact from Godly influences which was leading me to live an inauthentic, uneasy, and exhausting life. One day, I read the opening line of a book by author and pastor Rick Warren, and it said: It’s not about you."¹ From that simple statement, God opened my eyes and heart to see that I saw myself at the center, trying to have God, family, and everyone else, revolve around me. There were other things that were off as well, but that was at the top of the list.

With the aid of what was assuredly the Holy Spirit, a relationship with Jesus came alive, and soon thereafter I started to lay down my burdens and to find rest.

Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light. (Matt. 11:28–30)

It was such a relief to finally figure out that neither the world nor God revolved around me. The pressure was off, and the floodgates opened. My distorted view of myself—my identity, what guided everything about me—began to change. Spirit-filled, my focus and attention turned to knowing God. I felt free.

Everything could be seen through a new filter—work, relationships, and the world—and positive changes took hold. Mental and emotional capacity was freed up and there was more time for God, for family, and for others. Everything seemed less difficult. As things unfolded, and with the encouragement of my wife, the Lord sent me on over a decade-long path to grow closer to Him by, among other things, becoming immersed in the Bible.

Instead of TV, social media, or other aimless time gobblers, every spare moment was spent reading the Bible, scholarly commentaries on the Bible, and books written by well-regarded Christian pastors, philosophers, authors, and theologians. I watched and listened to sermons and biblical discussions, both in person and online, participated in and led Bible studies, and even audited (participated in without seeking a degree) a limited number of seminary classes. Among other things, that effort led to the invaluable realization of the importance of forming a lasting identity based on who, and what, God describes and intends a Christian to be, rather than one determined through culture, the world, and my own devices. That journey eventually led to the writing of the book you hold in your hands.

So back to the original question, why write a book? I would like to think the last several years were not just about me! I started to write down some thoughts for my three children and their children. One thing led to another, and quite a while later this book was created, the purpose of which is to shine some light on the importance of seeing ourselves, who we are, as God intends us to be, and to help others to pattern themselves—their identity—in accordance with the designs of God. That clarity can be life altering, leading to a confidence and boldness through aligning our lives with God’s truths, instead of those of a culture and world that are lost.

Through the years I have been president of three companies, executive director of a youth sports organization, project manager of several real estate planning projects, a banking executive, a CPA at an international public accounting firm, a volunteer youth sports coach, a father of one boy and two girls, and a husband for 39 years. Therefore, the author’s words in this book were written prayerfully by a common man without formal training in ministry or biblical studies (other than the Spirit-led biblical studies noted earlier) and are a reflection on things personally learned from a still ongoing journey to know God better and to be a better follower of Jesus.

This book is meant to inspire thought and to be encouraging but surely not to in any way be definitive. While I think the text is supported by the Bible passages and quotes from well-respected authors that are included in this book, you are encouraged to test my words to what the Bible says, and to compare them to those ideas and writings of trusted Christian pastors, theologians, and philosophers that have made serving God and commenting on the Bible their life’s work. I certainly do that with everything that I read and study.

I pray this book is helpful to you, and hope that God shines His light and His grace on you.

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¹ Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life, expanded edition, What on Earth Am I Here For? (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012), 21.

Introduction

What is a Christian? Who and what does God, through the Bible, describe and intend a Christian to be? When someone says they are a Christian, a believer in The Way, a person of faith in Christ, what should they be internalizing, acknowledging, and consistently living out as true of themselves? What should be the guiding lights of their heart, soul, and mind? What can those seeking God understand would be true of themselves if they committed their heart, and entered a lifelong relationship with Jesus?

By gaining clarity regarding God’s truths that are meant to be at the core of a Christian’s identity, and letting them form and shape us, each of us can spiritually and personally thrive and persevere in our faith as God intends. We can be comforted and energized by a sense of purpose and hope, a permanent hope that rests on the unchanging reality of who Jesus is, and the good news of what He has done, is doing, and will still do. The true Christian life, one fully lived according to God’s ways and in His truths, is challenging, exciting, fulfilling, and liberating, just as God designed it to be.

Identity is defined by Oxford Languages as the fact of being who or what a person or thing is. It is the foundation of an individual’s personhood. Our perception of our identity is what we each believe to be true about ourselves, and it manifests itself in our thoughts and actions. While everyone is unique, a Christian’s core beliefs about who they are—their identity—should reflect God’s intentions and truths.

God’s love provides Christians with a humbling, unchangeable, and life defining personal value and worth, and if we seek it, He reveals to each of us, through His grace, our true, God given, biblically described identity. To live as a Christian, we are meant to rely on God’s understanding of who He intends us to be as His people, and strive to bring that to life, as we trust in His promises, put our lives in His hands, and joyfully serve Him.

Everyone, not just Christians, are ultimately defined by their thoughts about, and the resulting relationship they have, with God. He has provided a clear picture of the identity of a believer, how we should see ourselves, to help us in that regard. Along with a knowledge and trust of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and a constant gazing upon God, our core identity, what God says is meant to be true of us, should form the foundation to our lives, and shape everything about us. Is that true for you?

What beliefs about God, your relationship with Him, and what He describes a Christian to be are shaping who you are? While it needs to be refreshed often, has your Christian identity, who and what God says you are meant to be, become second nature to you, and is it therefore engrained in your heart, instinctively impacting every action? Do you start each day with affirmations about who God is, and who you are as a believer? Are you reminding yourself who God intends you to be as you live through your day? The world is constantly trying to define you. Are you letting it?

It is rare that anyone ever improves a skill without making it a priority, being intentional and dedicated to accomplishing specific improvements, and then putting forth committed effort and sacrifice to achieve a desired result. Similarly, if we want to be closer to God, to follow His ways, to be a better follower of Jesus, we need that same perspective—not to earn salvation, but to be a more Christlike person. It doesn’t just happen—it needs prayer, focus and persistence, more prayer, intentional and resolute action, and yet more prayer. If we say we are a Christian, a follower of Jesus, and therefore, want to live out the identity God has declared and described a Christian is meant to be, we need to strive to understand it, and put forth effort to live it out.

This book is meant to both challenge your understanding and to be encouraging in your walk. You have likely heard many of the descriptive terms before, but have you thought through their implications and looked at them from multiple angles? Do they shape the person you are above all other influences? The following chapters paint a biblically-based view intended to inspire you to be confident in your beliefs; to flourish in life by affirming and consistently reaffirming who God intends you to be—your identity; and, to live with a courageous spirit, regardless of what comes your way.

Part I of the two parts of this book serves as a reference guide and summary of what the Bible, God’s Word, describes about a Christian’s core identity. Part II then provides a brief overview of some of the more serious issues currently facing Christians, and how those issues may impact each of our commitments to our faith and identity, now and in the future.

Overview– Part I: Understanding Christian Identity

As mentioned above, Part I discusses the shared identity common to each Christian as revealed by God in His Word. Not to put us at the center of things; Jesus is at the center of everything, above all things, the first and the last. However, as God seeks to reveal Himself to us, and we seek to know God more personally, we need to recognize the person God intends each of His people to be, and will transform us to be, through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Though it lies outside the scope of this book, once we each have a clear picture of the identity common to all believers, we are better able to go on a journey with God to understand His plan for each of us individually, and to discover each of our more personal identities given our specific God-given talents, temperament, and gifts. Sometimes those are obvious and sometimes those are hidden to us—likely they are a combination of both. God uses each person’s strengths, but He also loves to work through weaknesses to accomplish His plans, so we should be honest with ourselves about both.

The Bible has several examples of God using broken or ordinary people to carry out tasks they never dreamed capable of performing. Just look at the apostles. They were common, flawed people that stood up to a formidable empire, and an entrenched religious leadership, to form what we now call Christianity. Whether it is showing a small kindness or influencing thousands, God intends to use each of us as well for His purposes.

The core of each chapter in Part I are Bible passages that reveal what God says we should see as true of ourselves. The Bible deals with many topics that are often comingled together, or spread out in its different books, sometimes making it complicated to fully understand a specific topic. Concentrating these identity-related passages in one place allows us to better focus on God’s revelations concerning our common Christian identity. As we do that, we need to keep in mind that the Bible is meant to be read and understood within the context of the full story it tells, so trace each of these passages to the Bible and review their context to gain a fuller understanding. Also included are quotes related to the subject matter from books written by several authors whose words have influenced a multitude of people over the years, including me. Each of the source books (listed in the Bibliography) is worthy of a full read to gain a deeper understanding of the material.

Each chapter in Part I can be read independently so references to other chapters are sometimes provided to remind the reader of a discussion in a prior chapter, or to inform the reader that a future chapter will deal with a topic in more depth. In accordance with that stand-alone nature, certain concepts or words of encouragement will be repeated in multiple chapters as they fit within the discussion of each distinct element of our Christian identity. Repetition helps things to be remembered so you are encouraged to embrace it as it occasionally occurs.

Hopefully your reading of Part I leads you to: 1) a fuller understanding of who you are as a Christian, your identity, that serves as the foundation for all aspects of your life; 2) an expanded ability to confidently incline your heart, mind, soul, and strength to live for God; 3) an enhanced understanding of your relationship to God and therefore to the world around you; 4) a hope and confidence that inspires you to bring light to a world that is full of darkness, can be hostile to you, and will likely get more challenging and confusing as time passes; and, 5) a deeper sense of joy and gratitude toward God for His revelations, His unwarranted grace and mercy, and the value and worth He provides to each of us as Christians.

Overview – Part II: Is the Stage Being Set?

Not only do we need an understanding of our Christian identity to serve and worship God, but we also need that understanding to be capable of enduring and thriving through the chaos and uncertainties in our world. To prepare us for that, Part II provides a brief overview of some of the forces and likely developments that are impacting people in the United States and the world.

We are in a world of turmoil and rapid change. Human hubris and arrogance are at a fever pitch and, with tools not long ago brushed off as science fiction, a small portion of humanity is trying to replace or circumvent God. Others just seek power for power’s sake. To many, there seems to be both a national and a global struggle between good and evil going on, one that is intense and intensifying each day. As the Apostle Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12 ESV)

It seems plausible that spiritual forces are at work in our world today as never before. The battle may seem hidden, or you may be uncomfortable with the terms spiritual battle or spiritual war, but Paul in the passage above certainly confirms there are evil spiritual forces we must struggle against. Not that there aren’t still many things in God’s world to enjoy, admire, and be a part of—there are, and we can certainly live a thriving, flourishing, God-directed life. But the struggle is present if we open our eyes to it, and even if one can’t see it, they sense it. Something isn’t right, and in a way that feels different, uncomfortable, and somewhat uncontrollable. Non-Christians sense something is amiss as well. We need to understand what lies ahead, and be prepared to stand firm in God’s ways, so Part II is written with that in mind.

Final Introductory Thoughts

We know the end of God’s story and ultimate plan for us within His story, a joy filled eternal life with Him; however, from here to there, the already but not yet temporary world we live in, the future will require a faithfulness and courage grounded in Jesus and the identity, worth, and value only He can provide. Each of us needs to stand firm in the knowledge of who we are as God’s people, and persevere with hope, confidence, and courage to live out our faith through the earthly realities each of us confronts. Things are changing and Christians are in a unique position—both in what we will face and in the opportunities we will have to serve God. Let’s be ready! If you have not been taking being a Christian seriously and whole-heartedly, it’s time to start!

God has always been and is the only hope for humanity and that hope is ultimately about eternal life, although it radically impacts our lives here on earth as well. Much of the world is confused, lost, and chaotic. Let’s buck the trend. This book can serve as a starting point, but continue to go deeper, always searching for more of God’s truth and the hope it brings. Christianity needs to be active, not passive. God asks us to be fearless in living for Him. The world desperately needs Christianity (the people comprising Christ’s church) now more than ever.

As we will mention again in the pages ahead, the church is not a building, pastor, church staff, or organized religion. Too many of the latter have been rendered ineffective today by the flaws and apathy of human leaders. The church is each individual Christian, confident in their identities and their futures, acting as one with other Christians because they have a common identity and their eyes are focused on the same Lord, Jesus. As we gaze at, believe in, and follow the living Jesus described in the Bible, we are the church! Let’s take to heart God’s identity for us and live life to the fullest with abundant confidence, joy, hope, and courage, just as God asks us to do.

For those non-Christians seeking answers to life’s questions, seeking purpose, and meaning, and/or are simply curious, it is hoped that by gaining a basic understanding of the identity a Christian is meant to be, it will encourage you to seek to know Jesus more. Knowing and believing in Him, having a relationship with Him, and serving Him, is why each of us were created. Regarding seeking Him, Jesus said:

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Matt. 7:7–8 ESV)

PART 1

Understanding Christian Identity

1

Will God or the World Define You?

There are approximately 2.3 billion people out of the almost 8 billion people in the world that claim an affiliation with Christianity in fall 2023, and the number worldwide is growing. While the number of those claiming to have some form of a Christian belief in the United States has been decreasing steadily, as has church attendance in recent years, there are still between 60 to 70 percent of the US population who claim to have some form of a Christian belief in God. Despite there being a large segment of the population identifying as Christian, we currently live in a post-Christian society, at least as far as an ability for Christianity to have a major voice or influence on a national scale. Many are even describing the environment as approaching anti-Christian.

Despite persecution in several countries, Christianity has seen recent growth in many parts of the world including Africa (Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia), Asia (China, Indonesia, the Philippines), India, and many Middle East countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia. Christianity is prevalent in South and Central America as over 80 percent of the population in those areas identify as Christian. In Europe, Christianity has been declining although the Orthodox Christian religions are holding steady or growing slightly. Catholicism remains the largest single Christian denomination worldwide. It should be noted that Islam is also growing in many parts of the world, including in the US, and the two belief systems with distinctly different beliefs may soon rival each other in size.

Biblical Worldviews

According to a research brief from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University (CRC) directed by Dr. George Barna,

[A person’s] worldview is the operating system for human beings. It tells us how to think and how to behave. It informs and directs the choices that we make. Our moment-to-moment decisions are shaped by the worldview that we have adopted, adapted, and applied over the course of time... Whenever we are about to make a decision, we unconsciously run it through a mental, spiritual, and emotional filter that allows us to make choices consistent with what we believe to be true, significant, and appropriate. That filter is the result of the information and experiences we have embraced to make sense of the world in which we live.¹

The research brief from the CRC goes on to define a biblical worldview as:

…a means of experiencing, interpreting, and responding to reality in light of biblical perspectives. This view provides a personal understanding of every idea, opportunity, and experience based on the identification and application of relevant biblical principles so that each choice we make may be consistent with God’s principles and commands.²

Other research released in February 2023 by the CRC, found that while most Americans (68 percent) consider themselves to be Christians, only 6 percent of them have a biblical worldview. Less than half of those self-defining as Christian were born-again, defined as:

…believing that they will go to heaven after they die but only because they have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Within the born-again population (just 33 percent of the adult population), a shockingly small proportion overall (13 percent) hold a biblical worldview.³

According to another study by CRC in 2022, approximately 50 percent of nondenominational pastors had a biblical worldview, and only 37 percent of Christian pastors overall had such a worldview.⁴ That seems pretty dismal and perhaps explains why the institutional church in the United Sates is not distinctive nor influential. Do you know your pastor’s worldview?

Elements of humanism, secularism, materialism, scientism (chapter 15), and atheism, along with new concepts of spirituality, and post-modern versions of traditional Christian religious denominations, are being comingled with more fundamental Christian thought, as people adopt a syncretic worldview