Looking at three examples in the Bible of people who abandoned their previous group identity to join God’s family, we see a pattern to emulate. Rather than thinking of yourself as an American or a businessman or a student who goes to church, think of yourself as a child of God who is also an American or a businessman or a student.

Joshua 2:1-21 Rahab took a huge risk protecting the Israelite spies. She had heard about Yahweh who had demonstrated his power in Egypt and she wanted in.

Joshua 6:15-25 She abandoned her Canaanite group identity to become an Israelite herself. She and Salmon had a son called Boaz who became a man of integrity and compassion.

Ruth 1:7-9, 18 Ruth responded to Naomi’s immense suffering through a self-sacrificial act of loyalty. She abandoned her Moabite identity to care for her mother-in-law, taking on her religious beliefs and practices.

Ruth 3:10-11 Rahab’s son, Boaz, took note of Ruth’s character and loyalty. He married her and their child was the grandfather of the great king David.

Philippians 3:4-6 Paul was a man of religious fervor and zeal. As a Pharisee, he adhered to the strictest sect of Judaism. That was his identity.

Acts 9:3-6 When Jesus presented himself to Paul it resulted in his sudden abandonment of his previous group. Henceforth he threw his lot in with the Christians, the very people he had been persecuting.

Philippians 3:7-9 Rather than mourning the loss of his old group identity, Paul now considered all his previous accomplishments as trash in comparison to “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus.”

What is your group identity? Do you first think of yourself as a child of God, part of his family, or does your identity lay elsewhere?