mistaken identity

1 Samuel 21:10-15
     Our text tells of an event in the life of David. When fleeing from King Saul, he thought to find safety with the king of Gath, but when it was suspected that he was David, of whom songs were written of his exploits, David feigned insanity, thus escaping the possibility of death or imprisonment.
      David's true identity was mistaken for that of a madman due to his behavior. Similarly, I think we suffer from an identity crisis in our society.
        We hear much about people who deny reality and truth by choosing to 'identify', not just 'with', (as in being sympathetic to a cause), people or movements; but seek to identify 'as' (as if they were) with whatever it is they want to 'identify'. This goes far beyond socialization to the point of confusion.
       In the context of religious identity, there are many people who readily identify with a particular denomination but rarely, if ever, attend church. They will proudly say, "Oh, I am a _____________." I have had people tell me that while they do not attend church, but 'if I did, I would go to Pleasant Point."
        In Acts 11:26 we read "And the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."  These Believers were identified as Christians because their behavior reflected that of Christ.
          I wonder how many identify themselves as Christians, yet, are not truly? Does this not add to spiritual confusion when behavior is contrary to professed belief? Jesus said in Matt 15:8, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me." KJV
        There are those who 'identify' with Christ in word, but in their walk are more 'identical' to the world in philosophy and practice. Luke 6:44 reads "For every tree is known by his own fruit. for of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes." KJV
       Our identity as a Christian must go further than what we say, for the evidence is in what is seen in our lives.
       Maybe singing "I AM Thine, O Lord" by Fanny Crosby would keep 'whose we are' on our minds today.