Remember Who You Are

The most memorable line in the musical “The Lion King” comes when the young lion Simba is uncertain and fearful of accepting his responsibilities, and the old king appears to his son and says, “Remember who you are.”

Parents often say the same to their children, especially when the children are going to be away from home, “Remember who you are,” and, if they are Christians, add, “And whose you are.” In those countries with a royal family there are certain rules and standards of protocol governing its behavior. Departures from those expectations are regarded more seriously than breaches of conduct by others. Even in our democratic society the families of public figures receive closer scrutiny than others.

The New Testament often calls on us to live as who we are in Christ, to be what we are said to be as Christians. Because we are a holy people (“holy nation”—1 Peter 2:9), we are to live lives of holiness: “Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:14-15—quotations are from the NRSV).

Because we are a chosen people (“chosen race”—1 Peter 2:9; “chosen ones”—Colossians 3:12), we are to live according to our calling in separation from worldly desires: “I beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1); “I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you” (2 Corinthians 6:16-17).

Because we are made one in Christ, we are to practice unity: “Making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are” (1 John 3:1). Because we are children of God we are to imitate the divine qualities of love and forgiveness: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love” (Ephesians 5:1-2).

These and other similar passages say to us, “Remember who you are”; “Be what you are as a Christian”; and “Act according to your status.” The Christian life is a process of becoming what we are.

The evangelist Billy Sunday said, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.”

The eternal King says to us, “Remember who you are—a child of the King.”

Everett Ferguson