“So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head of every ruler and authority.”

(Colossians 2:10 NLT)

“So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head of every ruler and authority.” (Colossians 2:10 NLT)

Silence crept over the classroom when I asked, “Do you know which students I admire the most?”

Some in the class, mainly the girls, were clothes shopping—and finding identity in the process.

Having my computer class students compose a household budget is usually an eye-opening experience. Teaching them how to insert formulas to calculate things like vehicle fuel, renter’s insurance, and loans for furniture and a car is also challenging.

But watching their eyes light up and go deer-in-the-headlight when they see the cost of items they take for granted—items their parents or guardians currently provide for them—is priceless. One of those things is clothing.

Many students wear the latest name brands in shoes and clothing. And one student had taken too many days to shop for both. I reminded them they would take their clothing with them when they moved out. They didn’t have to buy an entirely new wardrobe; they just needed to set aside enough each month in case they needed a few things. But I also reminded them they might be unable to afford the name brands they currently wear.

When no one answered my question, I decided to talk to the class about identity and peer pressure by answering my own question.

“The ones who wear what they want and don’t care what anyone else thinks. What will happen if you find your identity in the brand names you wear and suddenly can’t afford the name brands anymore? Who will you be?”

No one said anything, but I could tell by the look on their faces that my words had hit home. They were thinking. Critically. And hopefully, spiritually.

Paul clarifies where our identity lies: in our union with Christ. We join Christ through faith, receiving his forgiveness for our sins. When we do, God clothes us in the righteousness of Christ. It’s like parading around the latest name-brand shoes we didn’t have to pay for. Our parents or grandparents bought them. In this case, Christ purchased our salvation . . . our righteousness.

Saint is our new identity—not one we’ll always play out in practice but one we are in position. Since this is our identity, nothing else matters. Not what others think of us. Not what brand names we wear. Not where we live or what kind of vehicle we drive. Nothing. We are complete in Christ. And when we grasp that, life gets more enjoyable, and the challenging times won’t bring us down. We belong to Christ, and he holds us safely in his hands.

Don’t find your identity in things or people. Find it in a relationship with Christ. Father, may I always find my identity in you and nothing else.

Martin Wiles