Identity in Christ
The Passage
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Timothy 1:1–2
Introduction
If you look on people’s twitter profiles, you see identity roles in their bio. “Father, husband, Christian, student.” What’s the most important identity in your life? Is it your role in your family, job, society? Is it your role as the chairman of your chapter of your local bird watching club or your role as a husband? What about your Christian identity? Is that something you only use one day a week or all of them?
Summary
Since Acts records most of Paul’s adventures up until his first imprisonment, it’s safe to assume Paul wrote this letter after his first imprisonment. So, Acts 28 ends with Paul waiting on his trial in Rome. Sometime after that, Cesar releases Paul and he begins ministry again. We can piece together some of Paul’s life after Acts 28. We know he sent Timothy to Ephesus as his apostolic representative and Titus to Crete. Then, he likely got arrested again, went to Rome, and wrote his last letter, 2 Timothy.
So, Paul wrote 1 Timothy to help Timothy minister to the Ephesian church. Most of the letter deals with basic church issues so that the church can continue in the faith. Paul repeats the word “faith” or “believe” throughout the letter. But he begins the letter, like all his letters, with an introduction.
First, Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Christ. Second, Paul addresses the recipient, Timothy, his child in the faith. Notice both Paul’s and Timothy’s identity is shaped by God. Today, we will look at the identity of both these men. Even though we aren’t apostles or ministering in Ephesus, Jesus does define our identity.
Christians Represent Jesus
Notice three attributes of Paul’s identity. First, he is an apostle of Jesus. An apostle means “one sent out” usually referring to a servant on an errand. But in the New Testament, the word also functions as a title for those men specifically commissioned by Jesus to lead the first generation of churches. These apostles included the 12 disciples as well as Paul, who met Jesus on the Damascus Road. Although the office of Apostle ended with the death of the last apostle, the work of church planting still continues on with all Christians. We are all sent out by Jesus to represent Him (Matthew 28:18-20).
Christians Obey Jesus
Second, Paul was apostle because God the Father and Jesus Christ commanded him. Christians today have a weird relationship with commands. We oscillate between wanting to be practical and wanting to be free. When we want practicality, we look for commands to obey. We want practical advice for finances, marriage, leadership, employment, etc. and we go to the book of proverbs and look for commands in black and white the explain in detail how we can get the raise, get the girl, or get the sale. Usually though, there’s no such command with detailed step-by-step instructions. Instead, there’s general commands true all the time like “don’t pay back insult for insult, but instead give a blessing (1 Peter 3:9).” This command sounds nice only until it costs you to obey it. Which is why the other side of the coin we struggle with is wanting to be free from any and all commands in the Bible. “I’m not under law but under grace.” This kind of thinking is just excuse making. Jesus promised not one punctuation mark of the law will be done away with (Matthew 5:18) and Paul tells Timothy that the Law is still good (1 Timothy 1:8), which means commands are good for us as Christians. So, we get frustrated with God for not giving us detailed commands, then we get frustrated because he gives us commands that make us uncomfortable. But notice Paul’s life. Jesus commanded Paul to be a missionary to the Gentiles. He gave Paul very little detailed instructions. Paul was free to obey the command however he wanted and needed. For example, all men are commanded to love their wives like Christ loves the church. But scripture doesn’t give us detailed commands on how many dates, flowers, and conversations on the couch we should have. God expects us to figure out how obey it as we obey it. We form our Christian identity by living Christianly.
Christians Are the People of Jesus
Third, Paul is an apostle according to the command our savior and our hope. Notice, the “our” savior and “our” hope. This one word grounds everything Paul says for us today. If God merely saved Paul, then we would still have our sin problem to figure out. If Jesus only gave hope to Paul, then we would not have any hope to give others as a church. But God not only saves individuals, He saves an entire people. This means we aren’t alone, and we essentially have the same mission as Paul.
In verse 2, we see the remaining two aspects of Christian identity, this time concerning Timothy.
Christians are Children in the Faith
Fourth, Christians relate to one another by our shared faith. Because Christians are united, we can share our ministry with one another.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4–6
This means our personal ministries should be connected with a local church.
Christians Have the Holy Spirit
Lastly, Paul blesses Timothy with grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Grace was a typical gentile greeting in the Roman world while Peace was a typical Jewish greeting during this time. Paul, practicing the unity we just mentioned, uses both terms in most of his letter. However, he also adds mercy to this list.
If you notice, Paul only mentions God the father and the son. He didn’t forget the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is the one who provides the grace, mercy, and peace.
The Holy Spirit brings grace.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1–5
The Holy Spirit brings peace.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22
The Holy Spirit brings mercy.
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5
This means our Christian identity is trinitarian. Much more can be said on the role of each person of the Godhead in our life. For now, I’ll just say that each person of the Godhead is involved in our life.
Conclusion
Remember your identify as a Christian. It costs much, demands all, and give eternally. Your identity as a Christian is the most important identity you have because it gives ranking to all other identities you have. You’re not just an employer, you’re a Christian employer. You’re not just a father, you’re a Christian father. God sent you out to be a Christian in all areas of your life. Do it!