Pastor Kevin discussed three ways to approach our identity: (1) discover the true self in the inside (the "self-discovery approach"); (2) be who you want to be (the "build your identity approach"); and (3) the gospel-identity approach.

The self-discovery approach says that each of us should look deep inside of him or herself and find the true self and live accordingly. The problem with this is that it is often confusing to find our true selves. How do we know? And, if we are honest with ourselves, what we find inside is often not good.

The build your identity approach says that you can be what you want to be. The problem is that when we build our identity on our own effort, we end up in with a host of problems. When we fail, it is not just a setback, it destroys us because our identity is destroyed. When we succeed, we often become more judgmental and prideful.

The gospel-identity approach says three things: (1) we are created in the image of God; (2) we have marred that image because we walked away from God and sinned; and (3) God loves us so much that he came, died, and resurrected for us so that we can be adopted as his "sons" with all the rights in His family. The second and third points say that we are sinners who are loved by God as his child through his grace. This leads to both humility (because we are sinners) and confidence (because we are his child through grace). This is a beautiful identity that has the power to change us and make us live on solid ground, and gives us the ability to face our own heart of darkness and love and embrace one another. Allow the Spirit of God to testify to your spirit that you are a child of God!