Hebrews 11:24-26
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Moses could have stayed in Egypt and lived a pretty comfortable life.  He would have had position and power, riches and knowledge, and he wouldn’t have had to face all of the heartache and struggle of leading the nation of Israel across the wilderness.  It would have been easy to live out his days in the palace, not caring about anybody else.  But Moses wanted something greater for his life, and that was to please God more than he pleased himself.  He knew that there was an almighty God who had a different plan for his life than to live out his days being served in a sinful nation.

Faith in God gives us a new identity, and Moses was willing to be who he was, not who others thought him to be.  He identified with the enslaved Hebrews rather than enjoy the riches of Pharaoh’s palace.  He would rather be marked as a follower of God than a follower of the world.  He could have had much gain, but it wasn’t worth it to him to make that exchange.

Our faith in Christ gives us a new identity.  We call ourselves Christians, believers in Christ, redeemed children of God.  And all we’re doing is saying we no longer identify with the world.  We’re going to claim the name of Jesus.  We’re going to bow in allegiance to our holy God.  And that has an effect on other parts of our lives.  It changes how people treat us.  It gives us a different purpose and a different focus for our lives.  And it is a choice we all have to make whether we will trade the temporary pleasures of sin for the greater riches that dwell in Christ alone.

A big part of faith is making right choices.  Some of those choices are easier than others, but some of those choices might cost us a lot.  Some of those choices might bring struggles and trials into our lives as we just try to be obedient to God.  But may we be willing to side with Christ and God’s people over the world anytime, no matter what it costs and no matter what privileges we miss out on.  Because when we choose Him, we’re not really missing out on anything at all.