What is Your Primary Identity?

Polycarp, the famous 1^st century bishop of Smyrna is known for his martyrdom.   He was   part of that great legacy of Christians who were the direct “disciples of the Disciples.”  In his case, he was the disciple of the Apostle John.   Everyone who knew him testified to his impeccable life and his commitment to historic Christian orthodoxy.  He was put to death by the Roman Empire for his faith in the year 155 A.D at the age of 86.  He famously said, when he was given one last chance to recant his faith and save his own life:  “Eighty-six years I have served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”  He did not say in that moment, “I am a disciple of Johh”  He said, instead, that he was one who served King Jesus.  This is an important point to remember in this day of increasingly sectarianism and Christian tribalism.

We must always remember that our primary identity is as one who belongs to Jesus Christ.   This is the  wisdom of Polycarp to us and to all Christians through time:  you will never be martyred for being a Methodist, or being a Pentecostal, or being a Baptist.  We are martyred because we are followers of Jesus Christ.  As we approach increasing opposition to our faith, we must recognize the common faith we share with all true believers in Jesus Christ.

We are Trinitarian Christians, saved by and through His redemptive plan, and united with the whole company of the redeemed through all ages who are united to one another through the mystical body of Christ.  This is always our first and leading identity.    I am, by confession,  also an evangelical Protestant who affirms and practices Wesleyan theology  But, that is my second identity, not my primary identity.

The Global Methodist Church has wonderful gifts to offer the wider church of Jesus Christ.  We are not merely “generic” Christians.  We have a particular embeddedness in a specific tradition, with particular insights and understandings of the Word of God and the apostolic witness.   But, that particularity must be seen within the larger context of our Christian identity.  If we understand this we will, simultaneously, become better Christians and better Methodists at the same time.

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