When it comes to identity, most Christian articles and books focus on our new being in Christ. And rightly so. We are “redeemed,” “beloved,” “cherished,” “children of God,” “holy,” “chosen,” and have access to so much more.  We revel in our new birth secured for us by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

But in focusing on our new identity in Christ have we completely omitted what we’ve been rescued from? Have we forgotten who we were when Christ called us? Are we too distracted to remember when He picked us up from the muck and mire?

I’d like to call that our “even though” identity. That’s a phrase I’ve borrowed from the apostle Paul. Here’s what he says in 1 Timothy chapter 1. Here’s what Paul says about his former way of life.

“Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy…”

While Paul was certain that he was a new creation in Christ, he didn’t have amnesia about his former self. He named his “even though” identity—he was a blasphemer, persecutor, and a violent man. Paul doesn’t marinate and wallow in the past, but he doesn’t sweep it under the rug either.

Perhaps that’s a pattern we can consider.

When we realize what we have been rescued from, we can truly grasp what we’ve been redeemed for. We can rejoice that the “grace of our Lord was poured on us abundantly…” (1 Timothy 1: 14)

Friend, I’ll admit I haven’t dwelt much on my former, pre-new-life identity. It doesn’t seem to be the culturally Kosher thing to do, even in Christian circles nowadays.

But, I’m starting to see the value in naming who I was so that claiming who I am in Christ grows even more precious.

Here’s my “even though” identity.

“Even though I was once self-centered and supremely shallow and preferred to act like a Christian instead of live as one, I was shown mercy.”

Even as I live out my new identity, I’m not perfect. But God is. And He continues to conform me through the power of the Holy Spirit to the image of Jesus.

Friend, what’s your “even though” identity? Could you take a moment to reflect on your story? Many contemporary worship songs dwell only on who we are in Christ. But back in the day, we weren’t afraid to admit that it was only God’s amazing grace that saved a “wretch like me.”

In a world that doesn’t want to talk about sin, may we be a people who are vulnerable enough to admit: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1: 13). As the old song goes, there’s “no turning back” when we decide to follow Jesus. But you can look back at who you were—and in so doing marvel at the grace of God.

When we perceive our fallenness we begin to see God’s faithfulness.

 

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