What Does the Bible Say About Identity?
Restoring the Soul – Part 1: Finding Your True Identity in Christ
In Part 1 of the Restoring the Soul series at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, Misty Surine delivered a deeply personal message about identity—the kind that isn’t built on what the world says, but on what God declares to be true. This message is for anyone who’s ever felt lost, burned out, or unsure of who they really are.
Identity shapes everything. It affects how you think, how you act, how you love, and how you live. If you believe you’re broken beyond repair, you’ll stop trying. If you believe you’re not good enough, you’ll settle. If you believe people always leave, you’ll never let anyone in.
“When you catch yourself saying ‘I am…’ you should stop and ask yourself, ‘What does this say that I believe about myself?’”
Breaking Agreement with the Lies
Most of us don’t realize how many lies we’ve agreed with over the years. Words spoken by others… wounds we’ve carried… insecurities that whisper in the dark.
- I’m worthless.
- I’m unlovable.
- I don’t belong.
- I’ll never change.
These lies layer on top of each other like a twisted parfait—so familiar, we start to think they’re truth. We build our lives around them, striving, performing, pretending. But the cracks always show. We feel fragile even when we look strong.
“I was always learning, but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7)
Are You a Fan or a Follower?
There’s a difference between believing in Jesus and actually following Him. It’s possible to say the right things, wear the label “Christian,” and still keep your life tucked away behind pride, fear, and control.
“I thought that saying the sinner’s prayer meant I had seen all there was to see.”
Jesus said in John 10:27:
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Are you listening? Are you following? Or have you put the Holy Spirit in a closet and covered Him with a blanket, only pulling Him out when life falls apart?
The God Who Calls You By Name
In Exodus 3, Moses is tending sheep when something strange catches his eye—a bush on fire that doesn’t burn up. He stops what he’s doing and moves closer.
“Moses had to be curious first… had to stop working, notice something that God had put in his path, and go toward it with a question in his heart.”
God calls out: “Moses! Moses!”
Moses replies: “Here I am.”
But almost immediately, he questions himself:
“Who am I that I should go…?”
God’s response isn’t to pump up his confidence or recite his qualifications. He simply says:
“I will be with you.” (Exodus 3:12)
That’s it. That’s the identity shift. When God is with you, everything changes.
You Don’t Have to Be Perfect—Just Surrendered
This isn’t about self-help or behavior modification. This is about complete surrender. Not halfway. Not someday. Not when you’ve cleaned yourself up. Just… all in.
“You don’t have to untangle every thread of hurt. You only have to give Him everything—and He will take care of the rest.”
If you feel like a lump of clay filled with gravel and sand, you’re not alone. We all are. And anything we build with our own strength will be flawed and fragile. But if you ask Him to take all of you—He will begin to reshape it.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Are You Tired Yet?
Living outside of God’s truth feels like trying to swim upstream with a backpack full of rocks. Every day, the same struggle. The same arguments. The same emptiness.
“Every day I fight the same battle. Something has to change.”
Jesus is calling:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
You don’t have to keep fighting. Let go. Lift your eyes. He’s on the shore, calling you by name.
Who Does God Say You Are?
You are not your past. You are not your mistakes. You are not your diagnosis, your title, your income, your pain.
“This world didn’t give you your identity—and it can’t take it away.”
- “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)
- “I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
- “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
A Planting for His Splendor
God isn’t trying to erase who you are. He wants to partner with you—to prune away what’s dead, breathe life into what’s good, and send His power through you like water from the vine into the branches.
You were meant to live rooted and strong, like a mighty oak. Storms will still come. Pain will still exist. But when you live surrendered and Spirit-filled, you’ll stand firm. Not because life is easy—but because God is close.
Take His Hand
Open your clenched fists. Let go of every lie, every label, every false identity. Stop trying to figure out where you are on the map. Just let go. Trust Him.
“Hand Him everything, and you will lose nothing—but gain more than you can imagine.”
You were made for more. You were created for wholeness. He is calling you by name.
Find Your Identity in Christ at Open Arms Community Church
If you’re searching for healing, purpose, or truth, this is your invitation. You don’t have to figure it out on your own. You don’t have to keep living in survival mode.
Join us at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA as we continue the Restoring the Soul series. There is more for you—more freedom, more peace, more purpose. Come find your true identity in Christ.
📍 Sunday mornings at 71 Congress Street in Bradford, PA
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This is a church where you can find healing, hope, and who you were always meant to be.
