“Whose Daddy is You”
When I was in the seventh grade, I found myself walking to school because I was not feeling well that morning and my mother kept me home. Now, just so you will understand, to stay home, there had to be signs, physical evidence that you were not well. Just saying I do not feel good was not sufficient to miss school. In any case, that day approximately 10:00 AM I felt better and wanted to go on to school. I told my mother I was feeling better and I thought I could walk to school, which was approximately a mile from the house. The road between home and school is a major road even though there is not much traffic on it. The point here is that there were no sidewalks. I had to pass a number of houses and watch for dogs. I got to one house where a man was standing out in front. He looked at me and then asked, “Whose daddy is you?” At that time, that was a strange question for me and I said to myself, “cannot he see I am a young boy. I am nobody daddy.” Therefore, I did not answer, assuming he was drunk or mentally challenged, I walked faster and closer to the other side.
Being Identified
Since becoming an adult, I have thought about that encounter a number of times, wondering why such a question. Now, as I look back on that scene, I realize that he was really asking me who was my daddy. He was trying to identify me. He knew he did not know me but suspected he knew my father and if he knew my father, then he would know to whom I belonged, which would give him some sense of who I am. John describes such an encounter between the Pharisees and Jesus.
With Whom Do You Identify?
In John 8:19, the Pharisees ask Jesus, “Where is thy Father?” Jesus answers by stating, “Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.” As the discourse continues, Jesus is heard saying, “If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God…” (John 8:42). In chapter 8, Jesus makes it clear that there is a distinction between those who have God as their Father and those who have the devil as their father. Even in John 14:8-9, Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father and Jesus responds by saying, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father….” Jesus identity was in His Father and throughout the scriptures, He acts and speaks according to the desires of His Father.
The Importance of Identity
Our identity is important, as it gives us access. One of the most egregious crimes in our society today is identity theft; therefore, we are taught to guard our identity, to protect it because it is precious, not only from a financial perspective but also to secure our reputation and integrity. Now, we understand identity from a physical or earthly view but it is even more important from a spiritual point of view. Jesus tells us not to fear those who can only kill the body, but him who is able to destroy both the soul and body (Matthew 10:28).
Focus of this Blog
Therefore, this blog will focus on our identity as Christians. We will advocate for a clearer understanding of the identity of Christians and impress upon each viewer the need to guard that identity. We hope to publish posts and address questions that will better inform Christians as to who we are and what is our purpose. The book titled “Am I a Sinner, Too?” is the beginning. Of course, we cannot be effective without your interactions. We ask that you challenge us through both your questions and comments, and prayerfully we will grow together in our faith in the one who created and preserves us.
