Identity Loss

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 25

Gold Nugget

Verse 4: “Take away the dross from silver, and it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.”

Commentary

Identity theft is a growing problem in America today. More and more people are suffering from their identities being stolen. The financial and emotional strains can cause enormous hurt and damage. However, there is another kind of identity theft that is just as common and yet perfectly legal. People have stolen other people’s identity emotionally. It has been said that when couples come together, often times, one person’s identity is absorbed by the other. Although not exactly stolen, often times it's just as destructive. However, not all identity loss is a bad thing. When two people come together in marriage, they should both experience some identity loss. For one, they are no longer single. Also, they are no longer providing for themselves alone. They begin to think in an “us” mode as opposed to a “me” mode.

Another form of identity loss that is for the best is the identity you lose as you grow in your relationship with God. The bible teaches us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” That is to say, you are not who you were, nor who you shall be. “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3) I really like the last part of that verse about purifying. That brings us to our “gold nugget” for today. “Take away the dross from silver, and it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.” The “dross” consists of the impure elements in sliver. The dross of our old life made up part of our identity, but it is identity that we will lose as we surrender our lives to God. Can you say that you have experienced some identity loss since you have been serving Him? Have you been feeling the loss of your identity as He burns away the impurities? If so, take joy in being fashioned in His likeness for we shall soon be as He is!

Prayer

Lord, I welcome the burning away of the dross in my heart and life. I like the work that you are doing as I decrease and you increase. I pray that you will be able to make good use of me as the dross is being been burned away. Amen

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