What are Humans For? - Tim Horman
Welcome back to the One Church blog, where we’re exploring some of life’s biggest questions in our ‘Questioning Christianity’ series. This post is inspired by a powerful sermon from our Senior Minister, Tim Horman, where he explored a fundamental question we all wrestle with: What are humans for?
Today, we're diving into the profound truth found in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. We'll look at what this ancient passage has to say about our deepest sense of identity and how it challenges the way our modern world tells us to find our worth.
To get the full context, you can listen to or watch the sermon below.
Understanding the Message: A New Creation
In today’s fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the constant chase for meaning and purpose. We're told to look inside ourselves to find our "true self" and then express it to the world. As Tim explained in his sermon, this is what we call the ‘modern identity’, which is a huge shift from the ‘traditional identity’ where our worth came from submitting to external things like family, culture, and duty.
We see this shift everywhere, from Hollywood films to social media trends. Think about the song "Let It Go" from the movie Frozen—Elsa moves from the restrictive traditional identity to a new, liberating modern one, free to express her inner self without limits. While this desire for freedom isn't wrong, the search for identity by looking only within ourselves often leads to an inner 'chaotic mess', as Tim put it.
The problem is that the modern identity, which relies on looking inside and seeking external validation, is incredibly fragile. It leaves us constantly craving affirmation, leading to what New York Times journalist David Brooks calls a "roaring epidemic of psychic pain." As Tim highlighted in his sermon, we’re left with a question: If we can’t find a stable identity in the world’s answers, is there a better way?
“Because the Christian identity is received and not achieved, because it’s based not on performance, but it’s a gift of grace that you don’t deserve, then it both humbles you into the dust but it also lifts you to the sky at the same time.”
The Christian answer is a resounding yes. Unlike the traditional and modern identities that are based on what we do or how well we perform, the Christian understanding of identity is completely different. It’s not something we achieve, but something we receive.
Connecting to Our Lives: A Gift of Grace
The Apostle Paul gives us a beautiful picture of this new identity in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. He writes, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" This isn’t about just tweaking our lives; it’s about a complete transformation, a new beginning.
Paul continues by explaining this amazing exchange that happens on the cross: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. This is the heart of our Christian identity. Jesus, who was perfect, took on all of our failures, mistakes, and wrongdoing. In return, we receive his perfect righteousness and are treated by God as if we have lived a sinless life.
This is what makes the Christian identity so unique and so powerful. It's not based on our performance, our career, our looks, or our achievements. It's a gift of grace from God. It's not something we earn, but something we are given. This is a game-changer! It frees us from the constant pressure to justify our existence.
“There is no other religion, no other system of belief, no other culture on the face of this planet that can give you an identity like this. What does that mean? It means his regard for you and his love for you does not change depending on your performance.”
When we truly grasp this, it changes everything. We can be supremely confident in who we are in Christ, yet deeply humble because we know we don't deserve this gift. We can pursue our passions and work hard, not to prove our worth, but as an act of worship—a way of giving glory to the God who has already validated us.
Living as a New Creation
What are humans for? The Christian answer is simple and profound: to know God and enjoy him forever. Our purpose isn’t about building a life for ourselves but about living a life that is an overflow of God's love and grace toward us. Our identity is secure in Christ, and because of that, our whole life—our work, our relationships, our hobbies—can become an act of worship.
One Way to Live it Out
This week, try to pay attention to where you are seeking validation. Is it through your job, social media, or a relationship? When you notice yourself looking for worth in these places, take a moment to pause and say a simple prayer, thanking God that your identity is already secure in Him.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for loving us so much that you gave your son, Jesus, to die for our sins and give us a new identity. Help us to live each day not to prove ourselves, but as an act of worship, resting in the truth that we are new creations in you. Amen.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
Personal Reflection Questions
What parts of your identity are most connected to your achievements or the opinions of others? How does the idea of an identity received, not achieved, challenge you?
Thinking about the concept of the "modern self," what are some of the ways you see this affecting your own life and the lives of those around you?
How can you practically remind yourself each day that your value is not based on your performance but on God’s grace?
Small Group Discussion Questions
What was one key takeaway from the sermon that particularly stood out to you?
Tim spoke about the shift from a traditional identity to a modern identity. Can you share an example of how you've seen this play out in culture, media, or even your own life?
In what ways have you been tempted to find your worth in external things, like a career, a relationship, or even being a "good" Christian?
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. What does it mean to you to become a "new creation"?
Tim mentioned the famous line from the film Chariots of Fire where the runner says, "When I run, I feel God's pleasure." What activities in your life—whether it's work, a hobby, or something else—could be transformed into an act of worship?
The sermon highlighted that our modern identity can lead to a "roaring epidemic of psychic pain." In what ways does finding our identity in Christ offer a different kind of hope and freedom?
How can we, as a small group and as a church, help each other live out an identity that is secure in Christ and not dependent on our performance?
Let's take a moment to pray for one another. What is one area where you are struggling to find your worth that you would like prayer for?