Numbers 16:7 And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the Lord to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the Lord doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

I’m a …., my father was a …., his father was a …., and my son will be a ….!

I don’t care what you fill the blanks in with. It could be farmer, mechanic, banker, lawyer, doctor, or even a priest. Do you find you identity in history? Perhaps you find your identity in what you believe. I’m a climatologist. I’m a naturalist. I’m a scientologist.

Moses was speaking to a generation of men who declared themselves holy. To be honest, I don’t believe that most men declare themselves to be holy because of their identity. Holiness might not even fit into a description of their lives. Holiness isn’t part of many conversations. I dare say it is not because of this one thing, God declares who is holy and who is not. It is declared, not earned.

I am chosen of God sounds like pride. There is no humility in that declaration. I am a sinner saved by grace sounds more suitable. It has the ring of humility which is both truth and easy to live with. If you were to ask me if I am holy, I’d have to answer, only because God declare it so. Once again, that sounds good and takes all the responsibility off of me.

1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Finding your identity in Christ means destroying your former identity and the acts thereof.