Something implied in John 17:9-18 which we must not lose sight of is that there is another identity that’s different from the identity of the Father! This is the identity of the world, which the Lord earnestly prayed for us over, that every disciple be protected from! This is the identity of the world, given by the prince of this world. Compulsively attractive and to which we all are prone to surrender to involuntarily, this identity masquerades by:

1. Power of the belly—Hebrews 13:9-15 (MSG)—Don’t be lured away from him by the latest speculations about him. The grace of Christ is the only good ground for life. Products named after Christ don’t seem to do much for those who buy them. The altar from which God gives us the gift of himself is not for exploitation by insiders who grab and loot. In the old system, the animals are killed and the bodies disposed of outside the camp. The blood is then brought inside to the altar as a sacrifice for sin. It’s the same with Jesus. He was crucified outside the city gates—that is where he poured out the sacrificial blood that was brought to God’s altar to cleanse his people. So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This “insider world” is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name.
2. Power of its fashion—2 Corinthians 4: 3,4 (MSG)—If our Message is obscure to anyone, it’s not because we’re holding back in any way. No, it’s because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won’t have to bother believing a Truth they can’t see. They’re stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we’ll ever get.

And continues to be governed by the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:1-3). Such was what befell Judas Iscariot and Demas of old, and indeed many “Christians” so called, who failed to live the reality hidden by translation in Hebrews 11:9.

Beloved, if we fail to accept that we were created and redeemed for a purpose, other people will try to breathe their identity and agenda into us. This is the greatest danger we face today, when others will define you and control you. Beloved your only protection is to live in the consciousness of His presence (Psalms 119:29-32). Please consider carefully and the Lord will give you light. Shalom