"Identity Theft"

“Identity Theft”

Probably the fastest growing crime in our nation today is identity theft. By using “creative” tactics (computer hacking, telephone scams and electronic gadgets to name a few) crooks try to obtain personal data of victims to empty bank accounts, buy thousands of dollars’ worth of  merchandise, take out loans and otherwise separate them from their money. Despite constant warnings not to divulge private information the problem continues to escalate with no end in sight. So keep a close eye on those financial statements and report any irregularities quickly.

But criminals aren’t the only ones who try to steal our identity. We can compromise it ourselves by pretending to be something or someone we’re not. We can try to measure up to the expectations others have of us. Or we can seek to comply with what the political correct society wants to force on us. In these and other situations we run the risk of answering the “Who am I?” question in ways that give us a false identity.

Not long ago Pastor Wayne Blackburn warned the Victory Church family not to build who we are on something we can lose, be it a job, financial portfolio, skill, position or anything else. So what’s an identity that can never be taken from us? It’s summed up by a phrase which appears often in Scripture: “in Christ” (or variations thereof). Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “…If anyone is in Christ (he or she) is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” (Emphasis added). And this relationship is one which continues until we’re with Him (“…Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 1:6; P“…We…are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”—1 Peter 1:3-5, emphasis added).

Several times Karen and I have been issued new credit cards when questionable charges showed up. We commend the companies for monitoring these bogus transactions and notifying us before identity theft ensued. But nothing or no one can steal who we are in Christ (“…There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus….”—Romans 8:1, emphasis added). What a great place to be!

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan