Life Lessons From Jude - Identity

The Epistle of Jude is the one but last book of the New Testament. This book contains one chapter and twenty five verses. The chapter begins by

Jude 1:1 (NIV)

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,

To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

Emphasis Mine

Let’s take a look at identity. If you were asked the question. Who are you? What will be your response? Would you define yourself by your doing or by your being? As Jude introduces us into his epistle, he begins by identifying himself…Jude…a servant of Jesus Christ….a brother of James. There is nothing about the statement that tells us about what he does but it has everything to tell us about who he is, whose he is and his family tie.

Society has reshaped our thinking such that when asked who we are, we immediately talk about what we do. We have misplaced priorities when it comes to our identity – the pressures of life have caused us to lose our identity. For most of us, we have refused to know God and we have little or no family value.

We learn from Jude that, it is important to have a sound identity – know who you are, whose you are and identify with your family when necessary. Our identity, our identity in Christ and our family ties are the three most important aspects in life. When we lose connection with those three areas of life, we become lost and confused in society.

The bible tells us of what Jesus approves as the right response to identity.

Matthew 16:15-16 (NIV)

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Emphasis Mine

Two things

-Peter identified HIM by His name - You are the Messiah

-Peter identified HIM by His family tie - the Son of the living God

My encouragement to you is this, irrespective of what you do and where you find yourself in society, purpose in your heart not to lose sight of your true identity and not to misplace your priorities. Purpose in your heart to allow God to take his rightful place in your heart. Allow family to take their rightful place in your life as well. In Jesus name. Amen.