John 11:48-50 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

Israel became a national identity. God saved a nation out of Egypt. God gave the land beyond the Jordan as an inheritance to a nation. Atonement of sin came to the nation once a year.

Psalm 68:8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

The God of the universe was identified as the God of Israel, a nation, not individual, but a people. This people wrapped up their whole existence in their identity as a nation. A person would not and could not be considered before national identity.

As a nation, they lost personal responsibility. This was a great mistake then and it is a great mistake now. There is a danger in calling ourselves Christian in that same perspective. If you cannot relate to these next statements praise God.

My family have been Christian as far back as I can remember.

I’ve always been a Christian.

My family built this church.

My mother (grandmother) told me to believe.

My father is a preacher (pastor, deacon, teacher) of course I am a Christian.

People who lay their trust in identity rather than personal responsibility are in danger. We must place our faith in Christ and not in identity. I hear it all the time and I cringe to think that these people do not understand their position as a lost sinner. They have no personal relationship with Christ.