Knowing Our Identity

In a recently released book entitled, Defending Identity, Natan Sharansky writes, "The Pentecostals in the Soviet Union were prohibited from teaching their religion, persecuted remorselessly, exiled, and moved deeper and deeper into Siberia, all the way to the border of China and Japan, and even there were not left alone ... and were willing to be imprisoned to teach their children their religion."

What was the source of their strength? Sharansky makes the case that ultimately without one knowing and valuing his identity there is little likelihood that he will be able to maintain his position, or even survive. He shows the relationship between identity and freedom and argues that Americans and others are slowly being deprogammed and taught to discredit their own country and its ideals. Sharansky, a Jew, gives historical reference to the struggle of the Jewish people and points out present dangers that are overwhelming Europe. The book references the Pentecostals of the Soviet Union as a people who understood who they were and discusses how this understanding gave them courage to place their lives on the line.

He states, "The enemy's will is strong because his identity is strong. And we must match his strength of purpose with strong identities of our own. The universal quality of identity is that it gives life and meaning beyond life itself." Oxford dictionary defines identity this way: "The fact of who or what a person or thing is."

Reflecting on the past several years one can see identity problems developing throughout Christianity. Many have developed an admiration for success and shifted from declaration of the Truth to imitation of personalities and church-growth formulas. politically correct values have distorted the church's voice with regard to morals and the absoluteness of salvation through Christ alone.

Inconsistency with regard to values, morals, and even Bible validity, has weakened our young people's sense of identity. If adults do not know clearly what they value, who they are, and the importance of the Word of God, how can they hope to convince their children that they are serious about their faith?

Everyday the world hammers the dogma of devils into the brains of our youth. The modern tools of media - ever so cool, pervasive, portable, intrusive, intoxicating, calculated, and controlled largely by anti-Christian corporations that reap billions in profits - are the most effective weapons the devil has ever possessed. There is a spirit in this world, and the spirit is the spirit od the Antichrist.

Victory over this spirit will not come by attempting to duplicate the devil's weapons. The media, the machine and the technology are not the attraction. The content, evil imagery, lust, and sensationalized lifestyles are the attraction. Getting our message delivered in some modish media format will not win the battle. The power of God demonstrated through the gifts of the Spirit and preaching of the Word will overcome the enemy, and thankfully the drawing power of Christ operates independent of our talents. Jesus said, "I will draw all men to me."

The battle is won by knowing who we are in Christ, knowing Him, and living in His presence. It's not the entertainment that will keep young people. It is the power of the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Spirit will identify for them His purpose in their lives, not some personality-based survey. Only God can give man the resolve to, if necessary, die in Siberia like the Russian Pentecostals. It is the anointed, spirit-intoxicated services that will transform young people into soldiers of the cross prepared to face the threat of militant Islamism. We hardly need another service fashioned like and imitating some asinine television show. Be Pentecostal. Have church. Preach the Word. Cry out. Challenge the Christians. Disciple the youth. This is how identity is shaped, hearts are transformed, gifts are imparted, callings are transmitted, and destinies are understood. This is how the fiery torch is passed to the next generation of whom the world will say, "These are they which follow the Lamb wherever He goes" (Revelation 14:4)

(many thanks to my Bible College president, Paul Mooney, for the content of this blog)