Who are you?

Have you noticed that psychologists, psychiatrists and sociologists like to divide the populace into various groupings?

For example, they say people are overweight, underweight, or normal-weight. For you folk who prefer being underweight, I read a March 28, 2014, report that said, "People who are clinically underweight face an even higher risk for dying prematurely than obese individuals."

Another grouping is height: people are tall, short, or average. Would that be average for basketball players, bricklayers, pastors?

One of the more interesting groupings is generated by the "IQ" (Intelligence Quotient) tests. The "average IQ" is 100, and the "average range" is from 85-115. But we need to be cautious in applying this test and the resulting score, because so many variables can modify or "skew" the results. When I was a teenager, a person with a "low" IQ was said to have low intelligence. That was changed to one who had inadequate learning retention for his/her age level. Today, a low IQ is thought of as a mental disability. However, some folk have "inadequate learning retention" because they do not study properly. I suppose that does present a type of disability.

Now allow me to introduce another grouping. Humanity is divided into two groups: those with an internal viewpoint and those with an external viewpoint.

1. Internal: Who I AM defines or determines what I believe and do. Am I a Catholic? A Muslim? A Jew? A Christian? An Atheist?

2. External: What I DO and believe defines or determines who I am. Do I build houses? Extinguish fires? Handle money? Play football? Counsel people?

Our topic today revolves around #1 and we will introduce you to words such as: Theonomous (God's law), heteronomous (everyone's law), and autonomous (self-law).

1. Theonomy is a life lived under God's law, according to the principles and desires of God Himself. God is the guiding light of the individual, and our thoughts are subject to God's standard -- the Bible.

2. Heteronomy is a life lived according to standards created by other people. These folk try to please others -- sometimes under threat; therefore, their viewpoint can change often.

3. Autonomy is when the individual lives to please himself. He may believe in God -- he might even say he is a Christian -- but the Bible is not his standard for living. He refuses to be accountable to anyone, and he rationalizes his beliefs to accommodate his lifestyle. This is also called hedonism. I know a number of ministers who claim to be accountable to God; but they are lying because they live to please themselves.

What do you believe when you are by yourself?

How do you live your private life when no one knows where you are or what you are doing?

This defines your integrity and defines who you are.

On one occasion when Ravi Zacharias spoke in India, a university professor was asked, "What did you think of Dr. Zacharias' lecture?" She responded, "Amazing. Unbelievable. I've never heard anything like it. But I have one question: What is he like when he is absolutely alone? Does he live what he talks?"

That is the basis on which God will judge Christians. Are we honoring the Lord Jesus Christ in our private life? And how will we know whether or not we are honoring our Lord? I will answer with one of Ravi's quotes:

"As important as apologetics is to me -- and I have been an apologist all my adult life -- talking or telling what I believe will never be as important as living what I believe. And I mean living what I believe when no one but God knows where I am, what I am doing, or what I am even thinking. When I tell you what I believe, I may be trying to impress you -- or trying to impress myself. But LIVING what I believe is a message from God, through me, and to you about who and what I really am."

So, who are you? Some people say, "I am a Baptist" or "I am a Catholic". Is that really who you are? Think. Down deep inside, what do you believe? Do you live for the Lord, for someone else, or for yourself?

I strongly encourage you to learn to live for Jesus Christ. Then you can establish a clear-cut identity: you will be an adopted son of God.

-- Gene Linzey is a speaker, author, and former pastor. Send comments and questions to [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.