“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 NIV).
We tend to let our sufferings and longings identify us, but Christ’s resurrection means that we can follow Him into our true, glorious identity.
When we suffer, it leaves scars. Many of us find our identity in those scars. We lose a loved one and we spend our lives embittered and grieving. We never get over it.
Death, divorce, or defeat leave similar scars. They all may lead us to lower our gaze and wrinkle our brows in bitterness. Our present sufferings become our identity. We say to ourselves, “I am a widow. I am an orphan. I am a divorcee. I am a failure. I am hopeless. I am a victim.”
The groan of our longings can identify us too. We have sexual longings, so we identify ourselves by those desires. We confuse our sexual desire with our true identity, reducing ourselves to our hormones. We have an appetite for that which distracts or medicates our pain, so we become addicted to alcohol or drugs. Then, we become identified with our addiction. We become addicts.
When Jesus Christ rose from the grave, there was no smell of death upon Him. Sure, He had scars on His hands, feet and side, but they bled no longer. His wounds are healed. His scars are like badges hanging on a heroic soldier’s chest. They remind us of what He has overcome.
His resurrection from the dead verifies His identity as the Son of God. It also gives authority and credibility to the Bible’s claim that we were made in the image of God. Christ’s resurrection restores God’s original intent for those who believe.
Because of Christ’s powerful resurrection we can find our true identity in Him. We no longer have to struggle with an identity crisis due to our “present suffering.” Our true, glorious identity will one day be revealed when Christ returns.
When that Day comes, whatever we think identifies us now, will fade in comparison to the glory that is revealed.