Mistaken Identity

What a tragedy this past week. A couple murdered, several other officers killed, people shot and injured, and a man who committed these horrific acts of violence. Circumstances put him over the edge which resulted in so much pain, suffering and fear for so many.  This mother and daughter that were shot while in a truck matching the description of the vehicle the police were looking for, suffered from a case of “mistaken identity”.

I thought of two instances where this happens from a scriptural standpoint. The first instance of “mistaken identity” is that people would have no clue that we have a

relationship with Jesus Christ.  We may act and talk just as all the unsaved do. We live in this world (John 17:15) but we are not to be part of the world, involved in all its activities. (1John 2:15-17) The worst thing a Christian can ever hear is, “I didn’t know you were a Christian.”  The behavior was no different than anyone else so the logical conclusion is you are of the world. You then have a “mistaken identity” because of your actions which causes the name of Christ to be blasphemed.

 But the worst situation of all is that you have a “mistaken identity” about yourself. You think that you have made yourself right with God by your good deeds and obeying the law. You come with your self-righteousness thinking that you have done well when in actuality you have failed miserably on all accounts because you trusted in yourself. The ultimate, eternal tragedy is that person has no relationship with Jesus Christ and Hell is their eternal home. Matt 7:21-23 is a sobering passage about those people as Jesus says, “I never knew you, depart from me.”

 I am praying and trusting that all who read this have surrendered their life to Jesus Christ.  There is no other way than Him. John 14:6  Once you have done that you are now identified with Him and He now lives in you.  Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

 Have a most wonderful week enjoying your “true identity” in Jesus.

Pastor Marty