Identity: Part 2

So, who am i? (See Identity: Part 1 if you are confused)

If you remove all of the circumstantial things a person is defined by the content of their character (to borrow a line from MLK Jr.).

Now, this definition appeals to me because it denies all of the identities that often lead to discrimination. How twisted is it that inequality is often perpetuated based on uncontrollable aspects of an individual? Racism, sexism, ethnic conflict... all contingent on a situation your were born into and did not choose.

But that is a bunny trial...

After someone has passed, we rarely refer to them as 'plumbers,' 'students,' or 'Californians.' Even in extreme circumstances, where someone holds an extraordinary position, like say 'president'... they are remembered not as much for their position as for how they carried it out, a reflection of their character.

What creates character? nature? nurture? morality? faith?

Although all of the above, most likely play a role, I contend that our world view, how we perceive the world and our place in it, defines how we operate. The majority of the time our world view is defined, in large part by our religion or lack thereof.

Most world views (a term I will now use to identify religion or any other point of view which defines you outlook of the world and your place in it) share a common tenant, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you"... or something like it.

The most extraordinary individuals who have ever lived (as defined by modern popular culture )have taken this tenant to it's extreme. Mother Theresa gave up every comfort imaginable and lived a life of selfless service to the most impoverished and needy of the world. Martin luther King Jr. dedicated himself to the institution of basic civil liberties for all people, regardless of race. Ghandi fought for equality within South Africa and India... the list could go on and on... but the concept is the same. These people were determined to do what they could for brothers and sisters, regardless of whether they would see anything in return!

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.


So, who am I? What is my identity? Regardless of what occupation you hold, where you live, how much money you have, or how much education you received... you are how you treat other people, how you value them. That is what you will be remembered for. That's all that really matters.

Jesus defined this as love. He commanded His followers to "Love your neighbor as yourself." He even takes it a step further and commands us to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"! I leave you with two passages of scripture which I hope never become stale. It is two beautiful passages written by the disciple John and the apostle Paul, charged with truth that will help us make sense of this life. Read it anew and let it invade your soul.

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love... We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."



"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."