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From the desk of Dr. Ward, Director of Campus Life and Ministry:

How do we encourage morality in young people? Dr. Tim Elmore recently posted a helpful summary of research in answer to this questionÌý(You can read the full post Ìýor the more extensive New York Times research summaryÌý).

One takeaway – focus on identity over actions. For example, rather than correcting someone for cheating by calling them a cheater, the research suggests we affirm their identity while pointing out the inconsistency of their choosing to cheat in this situation. According to the NY Times summary, the most effective response was to express disappointment with the behavior, explain why it was wrong, how it affected others, and how the child could make things right.

Scripture also speaks to identity.ÌýFor example, the New TestamentÌýrefers to believers as those who are “in Christ” multiple times (e.g., Romans 8:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 1:1;Ìý1 Peter 5:14).

Consider Paul’s commentary on this phrase in Galatians 3:26-28.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of GodÌýthrough faith,Ìýfor all of you who were baptized into ChristÌýhave clothed yourselves with Christ.ÌýThere is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,Ìýnor is there male and female,Ìýfor you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Application – we need to remind both our students and ourselves who we are “in Christ.” Since Brook Hill’s mission includes “promoting Christ-like character,” we use Bible classes and chapel programs to help remind students that if they are Christ-followers, their identity is not based on what they do, but on what God has already done for them in Christ.ÌýFor a helpful introduction to this life-changing concept, meditate on the words of Paul from Ephesians 1:3-14.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,Ìýwho has blessed us in the heavenly realmsÌýwith every spiritual blessing in Christ.ÌýFor he chose usÌýin him before the creation of the worldÌýto be holy and blamelessÌýin his sight. In loveÌýhe predestinedÌýus for adoption to sonshipÌýthrough Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasureÌýand will—Ìýto the praise of his glorious grace,Ìýwhich he has freely given us in the One he loves.ÌýIn him we have redemptionÌýthrough his blood,Ìýthe forgiveness of sins, Ìýin accordance with the richesÌýof God’s graceÌýthat he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,ÌýheÌýmade known to us the mysteryÌýof his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposedÌýin Christ,Ìýto be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

In him we were also chosen,Ìýhaving been predestinedÌýaccording to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purposeÌýof his will,Ìýin order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.ÌýAnd you also were included in ChristÌýwhen you heard the message of truth,Ìýthe gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,Ìýthe promised Holy Spirit,Ìýwho is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritanceÌýuntil the redemptionÌýof those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Does that mean our actions are not important? Ìý“By no means!” (to borrow a quote from Paul in Romans 6:15). We don’t want to minimize the consequences of sin. I suggest that when we consider both scripture and this research, it means our actions can and should be empowered by our identity. So how then do we respond to our mistakes? Try this: instead of responding to our foibles with “I’m an idiot,” Ìý(a statement condemning our character) we should say, “Wow – that was dumb. Thanks be to God for His Grace!” (a statement which reminds us of our relationship with God).

*Bible Nerds – For a list of every time the phrase “in Christ” occurs in the New Testament, follow this .