The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a very important step to stepping into our ministry here on earth. Jesus told the early church to wait until they received the Holy Spirit, then they were ready to go out and operate in the power of God:
“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49 KJV)
Secondly, we’re never going to walk in the things God has called us to, without fully discovering the two levels of our unique identity. When we are asked who we are, if we answer “Accountant!” or “Plumber!” we are wrong. That may be what we’re doing for a living, but that’s not who we are. What if you lost your job? Would you become a nobody? Of course not! Who you are does not depend on what you do, but rather who God has called you to be.
We all share a foundational identity in Christ; we are all washed with the Blood, adopted as children of God, and loved with the same intensity as Father God loves His own son Jesus. That is our first identity. It isn’t unique, because it apples to all of us who are in Christ. Numerous promises from God’s Word are for us just in our foundational identity in Christ.
The first step to living out of our identity, is to become knowledgeable of that identity. We first need to learn about who we are in Christ, and our identity in Him. There is a really good book called Victory over Darkness by Neil T. Anderson that is a great help in this area.
But then there is another level of identity that we also need to be aware of and function in. That is our unique identity; it’s what makes us uniquely usable by God in the kingdom! Our unique identity includes a special collaboration of gifts, talents, and a calling that is unique to us, it’s something that sets us apart from everybody else. With these gifts, you will be able to minister to certain people in ways that the person next to you is unable.
Just like with our foundational identity in Christ, our first step is to become knowledgeable. We need to study the gifts and callings in the Bible to become familiar with them. We will never be able to recognize a word of wisdom gift, if we don’t have any idea what it’s purpose is or what is looks like.
Many of us do not even know one of our gifts, and if we aren’t aware of what is ours, then it’s very difficult to operate in those gifts. Gaining knowledge of the various gifts is crucial to uncovering our own gifts, then using those gifts God has given us are the keys to developing our unique identity. Once you have an understanding of the various gifts, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what He has placed within us. Once you know what your gifts are, then ask the Holy Spirit to stir up those gifts in you!
Just as a disclaimer, not all of us are called to public ministry as pastors, teachers, prophets, or evangelists, but ALL of us are given at least one supernatural gift such as prophecy, word of wisdom, etc. We all have ministry work to do, even if it’s just the people in our lives. The praying grandma may play a vital role in her grandson who becomes the next Billy Graham. You may save one person’s life by getting them healed of cancer, only to have that person touch thousands of people with their testimony. Do not underestimate the power of the ministry that God has given you. You are needed in the kingdom!
The very first step to discovering your unique identity, is to learn of your foundational identity. It is out of revelation of who you are in Christ, that will set you up to receive revelation on your unique identity.
