Identity. For those who have ears to hear, there’s a lot of talk these days about identity. Who we are. What we is.

As I wrap up Romans this morning, a couple of short, repeated phrases remind me of my identity.

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus . . .

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.

(Romans 16:3, 7-13 ESV)

In the Lord . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning. ‘Cause that’s what I am, that’s who I am — In the Lord.

What defines me, first and foremost, is that I am “in Christ.” What marks me, above all things that could mark me, is that I am “in the Lord.”

As the “credits” role at the end of Paul’s letter to the Romans, he lists friends and fellow workers. Men and women. Jews and Gentiles. Some of worldly repute, others not so much. But for whatever might have distinguished them from one another, what bound them together — beyond their common relationship with Paul — was their identity as those who were in the Lord.

They were chosen in the Lord, approved in Christ, and beloved in the Lord, only to then become fellow workers in the Lord.

It wasn’t their talents that distinguished them. It wasn’t their standing in society. It wasn’t what they accomplished. It wasn’t who they knew. When all was said and done — when the final chapter of the letter was written (literally) — what marked this cast of “bit players” was that they were in the Lord.

That’s who this “bit player” sitting in this chair this morning is, just a guy in the Lord. And, at the end of the day — at the end of my day — that is what will mark me. The only label that will make an real difference is that label. That will be my only boast — that I was in Christ.

Nobody in particular. But somebody in Christ.

Chosen. Beloved. Approved. A worker. In the Lord.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.