Throughout his gospel, the apostle John never refers to himself by name. When he uses the name “John” the reference is to John the Baptist, not John the Apostle.

The apostle refers to himself as “the one whom Jesus loved.” This is not a statement of pride, as it to say the Lord loves him more than the others.

Being the one whom Jesus loved is a declaration of identity. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that, as followers of Christ, we are no longer our own, for we were bought for the price of Jesus shed blood on the cross.

How do you identify? Do you see yourself as all the accusations others make of you? Are the judgements of others the litmus test for you as to your worth? Are you managing to keep up with the Joneses? Do you measure up to others expectations?

John didn’t care about any of that. He knew who he was: a child of the One True God through Jesus Christ.

He knew Who truly loved him.

He trusted and followed Jesus through his long life.

As a follower of Jesus, we are enslaved to sin. We are not trapped in hopelessness. We are not all the things others judge us to be.

Our circumstances do not define us.

God does.

And God says you are loved. He says there is forgiveness and restoration and redemption and grace and mercy available to all who will come to Him in faith.

Our Father wants us to know nothing – NOTHING – can separate us from His love. You cannot fall too far to be out of His reach.

The enemy is a thief who comes only to steal, kill and destroy. And he would love to steal our identities and feed us full of lies filled with condemnation and hopelessness and uselessness.

Don’t let him forge your identity. Find the real you in the One Who is Truth – God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grab your Bible and read.

Take a knee and pray.

Trust the Lord and take Him at His Word.

You are loved so far beyond comprehension.