Who Are We?
The Question That Won’t Let Us Go
Who are we?
This is more than the question: what do we believe? More than: what do we oppose? Not just what church we attend or what causes we support?. But at the core of our lives — who are we as followers of Jesus in a world as divided and angry as ours?
Jesus’ words in John 13 make it clear: our identity, our witness, and even our credibility as His disciples is tied to one thing love. Not shallow love, not selective love, but sacrificial love that mirrors His.
So let’s wrestle with this question together: Who are we? And who do we want to be?
Scripture Focus: John 13:34–35
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Our Identity: We Belong to Christ (Philippians 3:20; Galatians 2:20)
Our deepest identity isn’t Republican, Democrat, American, or even “good person.” Paul says our citizenship is in heaven. We live here, yes, but this is not our true homeland. We belong to Christ.
This means our allegiance is not first to politics, culture, or even family traditions. It’s to Jesus alone. The early church had no vote, no platform, no cultural power — but people noticed one thing about them and would say one thing: “See how they love one another.”
That should mark us too. Not our opinions, not our positions, but our love.
Our Resolve: Following Christ Is Costly, but Worth It (Luke 14:28–30)
Jesus never sugar-coated discipleship. He warned His followers to count the cost. Faithfulness to Him would mean sacrifice, ridicule, and sometimes even danger.
History proves this over and over. Look at Reverend Robert Graetz as an example, during the civil rights movement, he stood with his Black congregation in Montgomery, Alabama. His house was bombed, his life threatened — yet he stayed. Why? Because his allegiance was to Christ, not comfort.
What about us? Following Jesus may not cost us bombs or prison, but it will cost us something. Friends. Comfort. Reputation. Security. Are we willing to pay the price with joy, knowing Christ is worth it?
Our Witness: FaithFULL or FaithLESS? (Galatians 5:19–25)
Paul draws a sharp contrast: the works of the flesh versus the fruit of the Spirit. One tears communities apart; the other reflects Christ’s love.
FaithLESS witness looks like factions, rage, selfishness, and cruelty — the very divisions that plague our culture today. FaithFULL witness looks like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
You can’t fake the fruit of the Spirit. You can’t glue good apples on a dead tree. Either Christ is alive in you and His Spirit is producing fruit, or the flesh is running the show.
So which witness are we offering the world?
Our Responsibility: Conquer Evil With Good (Romans 12:17–21)
This is where it gets hardest. When we’re insulted, we want to insult back. When we’re hated, we want to hate back. When we see injustice, anger rises in us.
But Paul tells us: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil… Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.”
That doesn’t mean weakness. It means power — the same power Christ displayed on the cross when He loved His enemies enough to die for them.
We are never more like Jesus than when we refuse to mirror the hatred of the world and instead choose mercy, forgiveness, and love.
So, Who Are We?
We are disciples of Jesus Christ.
We are marked by love.
We are citizens of heaven.
We are His witnesses in a divided, hurting world.
Church — let’s not settle for being known by our politics, our preferences, or our positions. Let’s be known by the love of Christ flowing through us. Because in the end, that’s what will set us apart.
So I’ll ask one more time: Who are we?
And who do we want to be?