“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”
Daniel 1:8 (NIV)
How many times has this happened to you? Picture yourself at airport security. “May I see your ID, please?” the agent asks. You scramble through your belongings, present your identification, and wait anxiously as they scrutinize every detail. In those moments, your entire journey depends on this small piece of plastic that verifies who you are.
In our daily lives, we often find ourselves in similar situations. Our identity seems tied to various cards and numbers – driver’s license, social security, employee badge, credit score, and social media profiles. These modern markers supposedly tell the world who we are. But do they? They identify what we do, where we work, or our financial status, but they don’t capture our true essence.
Daniel faced a similar identity crisis in Babylon. The authorities immediately tried to reshape his identity. They changed his name from Daniel (“God is my judge”) to Belteshazzar (honoring a pagan god), altered his diet, and immersed him in Babylonian culture. In modern terms, they attempted to issue him a completely new “spiritual ID card.”
The Hebrew word used when Daniel “resolved” not to defile himself means “to set” or “to establish.” This highlights Daniel’s intentional decision to uphold his values amid external pressures. By standing firm, he showcased his authentic identity, not defined by Babylonian culture but by his relationship with God. Daniel displayed a spiritual ID card issued by the Creator, reinforcing the idea that true identity is anchored in faith, even in the face of adversity.
Today, we encounter many voices trying to define who we are, often measuring us by our achievements, appearance, or social status. In this chaos, we must remember our true identity—that we are children of God. Like Daniel, who held onto his convictions in a challenging environment, we need to embrace the truth that we are cherished and valued by the King of kings, reminding ourselves that our worth is defined not by worldly standards, but by our inherent dignity as beloved children of God.
When we truly grasp our identity in Christ, it changes everything. It affects how we handle success and failure, how we treat others, how we face challenges, and even how we view ourselves. Just as Daniel’s firm grasp of his identity gave him strength to make counter-cultural choices, our understanding of who we are in Christ empowers us to live differently.
Embracing our true identity requires both acceptance and action. When we understand who we are in Christ, our response should be twofold: first, to deeply receive and rest in this unchangeable love and acceptance from God, and second, to courageously live it out like Daniel did. This means making decisions based on who God says we are rather than what others expect us to be. It means choosing truth over trends, eternal value over temporary validation, and God’s approval over human applause.
“The Christian knows who he is only when he knows whose he is.” – John Stott, renowned theologian. Like Daniel, when we know we belong to God, we can stand firm regardless of external pressures or circumstances.
Our heavenly ID is authenticated by the blood of Jesus. Unlike earthly identification that can be stolen or expire, our identity in Christ is eternally secure. It’s not based on our performance but on His perfection, not on our achievements but on His acceptance, not on our status but on His sacrifice.
Godseekers, remember that your true identity is not defined by your financial status or social media presence. Rather, it lies in your relationship with God. You are a cherished child of the living God, created in His image, redeemed through His Son, and empowered by His Spirit. Embrace this truth, as it is in knowing who you are, that you discover your true worth and purpose.
Prayer
Father, thank You for giving us our true identity in Christ. Help us remember that we belong to You, regardless of what the world says or how others try to define us. Give us Daniel’s courage to live according to who You say we are, not according to the world’s labels. May our lives reflect the unshakeable identity we have in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- What “ID cards” in your life have you allowed to define your worth and identity?
- How would your daily decisions change if you lived fully aware of your identity in Christ?
Step of Faith
Today, write down your “spiritual ID card” – list three to five truths about who God says you are (examples: beloved child, forgiven, chosen, etc.). Place it where you’ll see it often, and let these truths shape how you view yourself and make decisions.
