Take a moment to think of some words you could use to describe yourself. Did the words you chose relate to your job? Your personality? Your hobbies or political affiliation? Your socio-economic status or cultural heritage? Of course they did, because these are the identifiers that we are reminded of constantly in our everyday lives. The thing is, we have an identity that is far more profound and far more true that has nothing to do with any of those things.
When Peter addressed the believers that would read his letter, he did not address them according to the city they lived in, their socio-economic status, their religious background, or their cultural heritage. He addressed them according to the new life they had all been given in God, because regardless of their situation, they had each been given the same glorious new life in the Spirit. And so have we. Just like Peter did for his readers, I want to remind you of the eternal, true identity that is yours now and that will remain after your job, hobbies, wealth, and political party are long gone.
You are chosen by God. You are God’s heir. You are shielded by God’s power. You are being proven pure- like gold refined in a fire. You believe without seeing and are blessed because of it. You are the righteousness of Christ. You are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. You are the carrier of the knowledge of God. You are the fragrance of Christ in the world. You are a son or daughter of Creator God. This is who you are.
To forget who we really are is to miss everything eternal that is already happening in our lives and in the world. It’s to live as though this life is all there is. Peter says that we’ve been given a brand NEW life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven- and that the future starts now! We can live for more than our 9-5 and political debates and weekend barbecues. We can participate in the eternal projects that God already has going around us. Remember who you really are. Live in the “you” that will outlast this world.
