In Christopher Nolan’s 2005 film, Batman Begins, Rachel Dawes says to an old friend she hardly recognizes, “It’s not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you.”1 Bruce Wayne takes this statement with him underneath the cowl and later reveals to Rachel that he is the Batman. He decides not to be known for his tragic past as an orphan or for his luxurious present as a billionaire. Central to his identity is what he does as the Dark Knight of Gotham.
This is not a foreign concept on this side of the big screen, that we are defined by what we do. A common question we ask when getting to know anyone is, “What do you do for work?” We can glean a fair amount of insight about a person based on their career. We can glean more insight based on how they manage their homes, spend time with family and friends, and engage in various hobbies—the things they do. But do these things define a person?
I would argue that it is the inner person—who we are underneath—that informs and guides what we do on the outside. And this seems to be the Bible’s argument as well, for James writes, “I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18, ESV). For James, the invisible, inner quality of faith is demonstrated in his visible, outer works. Without his faith, his works would be of a different kind altogether.
Jesus teaches us, saying, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45, ESV). So we cannot conclude with Rachel that the inner person is of no value in determining our identity. Rather, who we are underneath is the greatest explanation for what we do. As Christians, it is of great value for us to know who we are underneath—the “why” behind our Christian doings.
In a culture where it is not uncommon to find identity in one’s relationship status, tax bracket, family traditions, children, or Pinterest-perfect home, Christians are called to stand out as those who find their identity in Christ alone. When others observe our doings, they will ask, “Who are you?” (see 1 Peter 3:15). And yet, if we find our identity merely in our Christian duties, all we can give is a shallow answer. So when you strip away all the titles and responsibilities, who are you?
You Are Beloved by the Lord
In 2 Thessalonians, Paul reminds the church of who they are in the Lord. After writing briefly about those who are perishing, he reminds his dear Christian friends that they are beloved by the Lord: “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord” (2 Thessalonians 2:13, ESV). This is not the first time Paul has used this phrase to describe the Thessalonian church (see 1 Thessalonians 1:4). Central to their identity is this fact: They are God’s own beloved children.
This fact gave the Apostle John—“the disciple Jesus loved,” (John 21:20)—reason to exult in God the Father: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1, ESV). You are loved by God. The Father has so set His affection upon you that He gives you the right to be called His own son or daughter (see John 1:12–13).
Perhaps the greatest thing about being loved by the Lord is that His love is unconditioned on anything lovely in us. The LORD did not love Israel because they were more numerous or mighty or impressive than any other people but because He had set His heart on them and made a promise to their ancestors (see Deuteronomy 7:6–8). In the same way, He sets His love upon the Church, His New Covenant people. He makes the first move (1 John 4:19). He demonstrates His love (who He is underneath) by what He does: “but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, ESV).
Take a deep breath and let this truth wash over you—you are deeply, securely loved. If He loved you at your worst, He loves you still. If He loved you to the uttermost then, He loves you to the uttermost now. It is central to who you are in the Beloved.
You Are Chosen for Salvation
Paul doesn’t stop with this fact but reminds his Thessalonian brothers and sisters that God chose them from the beginning: “God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13, ESV). Being affectionately desirous of the Thessalonians, God moves to rescue them from unrighteousness and deception, which leads to condemnation (see 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12).
Many translations render that phrase “chose you as the firstfruits” (ESV, NIV, LSB) as “chose you from the beginning” (KJV, NKJV, NASB, CSB). Paul wants the Thessalonians to have “eternal comfort and good hope through grace” (2 Thessalonians 2:16, ESV). So, he reminds them that God chose them. This is the practical use and effect of the doctrine of election—and not just for the Thessalonians.
This doctrine is for your comfort and hope as well. Paul writes elsewhere of how God chose us even before the beginning: “who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began” (2 Timothy 1:9, ESV). Before the ages began, God’s eternal purpose has been an outpouring of grace to save those whom Scripture calls God’s elect (see Titus 1:1–3). While Christians may debate how election itself works, all believers can agree and rejoice that salvation is initiated and made possible by God’s unmerited grace.
Again, we see this idea of being chosen beforehand in Ephesians 1:4–5, which reads: “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (ESV). Friend, God loves you, and He intentionally chose you to be His son or daughter before the world even began. You can rest in this free gift of God.
I say rest intentionally. Notice in 2 Timothy 1:9 that God’s calling is based on His own purpose and grace—not in our striving. Just as His love is not a response to our perfection, His grace is not a reward for our performance. It is a true gift. You don’t have to work to earn it, you don’t have to bear the burden of performing perfectly for God. Instead, you can simply rest in the unmerited kindness of the Father. And there is even more kindness for us to uncover.
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You Are Called for Glory
Paul continues, explaining that God called believers to salvation for a purpose: “To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14, ESV). As a Christian, you have been called by God for a salvation that culminates in glory (or, glorification). God has not just saved you; He has declared that you are a part of the story that ends in perfect glory with Him.
Notice how the call comes: “through our gospel.” God uses human means (such as evangelists, pastors, and church members) to get the gospel to those who need to be saved. For the gospel “is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16, ESV). The gospel comes to us, not from us. In His good providence, the gospel has come to you. And like the Thessalonians, “you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers” (1 Thessalonians 2:13, ESV).
Now, notice that phrase, “at work in you believers.” Why do you do the things you do? Is it not because the gospel is at work in who you are underneath? And who are you? You are beloved by the Lord, chosen for salvation, and called for glory. This is your identity as a child of God. More essential than your career, your marital status, your education, your zip code, your hobbies, or your sense of self-worth is the reality that you belong to God. You are His. Loved. Chosen. Called.
All of this climaxes in “the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Something beautiful, wonderful, and mysterious is on its way. Thus, Paul challenges his readers to stand firm and to hold fast the apostles’ teaching (see 2 Thessalonians 2:15). Stand firm in who you are in the Lord, who you are underneath. Rejoice that you are more than what you do, that you are a culmination of what God has done underneath. (see Ephesians 2:10).
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Notes:
Nolan, Christopher. 2005. Batman Begins. United States: Warner Bros.
Author Bio
K. Jack Faught serves as the Associate Pastor at Parsons Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio. He is pursuing a DMin in Applied Theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jack lives in Columbus with his wife, Claire, and their three children. He enjoys reading theology, making his wife laugh, and spending time with the church.
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