ID

I live in a part of the world that is inundated with a sort of cult. There is a certain university nearby whose alumni and student body are so attached to the school that their behavior is almost sickening. You can't go anywhere without seeing their colors. They assume that you know about every game and event that occurs, even if you're a graduate of their rival. I find this very disheartening, especially among the Christian believers who are a part of it. Jesus spoke to a group of followers in John chapter 8 beginning in verse 35, I believe. Here we find that oft repeated verse, "The truth will set you free." The hearers of this comforting word were not having any of it, though. Their claim was a strange one which mingled truth and lie. "We are descendants of Abraham! We've never been slaves to anyone. How can we be set free, then?"
These folks thought they had it figured out. They had their identity. Somehow, they knew who they were (but not really) and no one was going to change their mind about it.
Jesus replies by telling them that everyone who sins is a slave to sin. He challenges their foundation by saying in a nutshell, "If you're Abraham's children then act like it!" These folks were out to kill Jesus. He lets them know that he knows. Still they argue about who they really are and how they don't need a savior.
Back at the beginning of the conversation, before the whole "the truth will set you free" line, Jesus told his followers that if they continue in his word they would truly be his disciples. Jesus gave them a short description of what a Christian, though they weren't known by that name at the time, would look like. Elsewhere he gave this description: Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Sure, that's the greatest commandment, yet Jesus quoted this to a group who asked what the greatest commandment is. I think in saying that, that Jesus intended for us to see his will. This is what he wants from us. All the other laws and what the prophets said are wrapped up in this commandment. This is what we are to look like. In essence, with a few exceptions, our career choice, school choice, spousal choice, and many other things don't matter as long as we are putting God first. That is how we will be identified. Our love for God and for one another.
Let me bring this all together, now. Our identity is found in Christ. Others will see this identity because of our love for God and for each other. In reality, we seek our identification in things like alma maters, career choice, political parties, denominations, skin color, Coke or Pepsi, etc. The world sees this and wonders why we even believe in a God. If God is who we say He is, then why do we treat Him with such disdain? Why is the Creator of the universe not our central figure? We're human, but within those of us who believe there is the Holy Spirit. Therein lies the power to overcome and to be the Christians we are called to be. We must change our character and our affiliations or we will only look more and more like the world.