Definition and Importance
Your Identity In Christ, in a biblical context, refers to the understanding of oneself in relation to God, others, and the world. It encompasses one’s sense of self, purpose, and belonging, rooted in the divine image and calling. The Bible provides foundational insights into human identity, emphasizing its origin, transformation, and ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
Creation and the Image of God
The concept of identity begins in Genesis, where humanity is created in the image of God. Genesis 1:27 states, “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” This foundational truth establishes that human identity is intrinsically linked to the divine, conferring dignity, value, and purpose upon every individual.
Fall and Distortion of Identity
The fall of humanity, as described in Genesis 3, introduces sin, which distorts the original identity given by God. This separation from God leads to a fractured understanding of self, characterized by shame, fear, and alienation. Romans 3:23 highlights this condition: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Identity in Christ
The New Testament reveals the restoration of identity through Jesus Christ. Believers are called to find their true identity in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!” This transformation signifies a return to the intended relationship with God, marked by reconciliation and renewal.
Adoption as Children of God
A key aspect of Christian identity is the concept of adoption into God’s family. John 1:12 affirms, “But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” This adoption bestows a new identity, characterized by intimacy with the Father and inheritance in His kingdom.
Identity and Community
The Bible emphasizes the communal aspect of identity. Believers are part of the body of Christ, each with unique roles and gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:27 states, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.” This collective identity fosters unity, mutual edification, and a shared mission.
Identity and Holiness
Christian identity is also linked to holiness and moral conduct. 1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts, “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” This call to holiness reflects the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, shaping believers to reflect God’s character.
Eternal Identity
The Bible assures believers of an eternal identity, secured in Christ. Philippians 3:20 reminds, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” This eternal perspective provides hope and purpose, guiding believers to live in light of their heavenly calling.
Challenges to Identity
Throughout Scripture, challenges to identity arise from cultural pressures, false teachings, and personal struggles. Romans 12:2 advises, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This transformation involves discerning God’s will and resisting influences that distort one’s true identity in Christ.
Conclusion
The biblical understanding of identity is deeply rooted in the relationship with God, shaped by creation, redemption, and sanctification. It calls believers to live out their identity in Christ, reflecting His image and fulfilling their divine purpose.
Evidenced By Scripture
1. You are a saint.
Ephesians 2:19 “Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and the household of God.”
Colossians 1:11-13 “being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light…”
Romans 8:27: “Love the Lord, all you saints! The Lord preserves the faithful…”
Ephesians 3:17: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height”
2. You are blessed.
Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the one who does not walk in the step with the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is a like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose lead does not wither – whatever they do prospers.”
2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
3. You are His delight.
1 John 3:1 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
4. You are gifted.
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
1 Peter 4:10-11 “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Romans 12:4-8 “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
5. You are a new creation.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
1 Peter 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”
Ephesians 4:22-24 “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
6. You are forgiven.
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Psalm 103:11-12 “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
7. You are adopted.
Romans 8:15-17 “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Galatians 3:26-29 “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Ephesians 1:4-5 “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will”
8. You are loved.
Romans 8:37-39 “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 John 4:7-11 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. “
9. You are a child of God.
John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
1 Jn 3:1-2 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
10. You are a priest
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
11. You are a citizen in heaven
Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
12. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
13. You are the body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
14. You are His workmanship
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST
Closing Thought
Experiencing the presence of God in your life is something that every Christian should strive for. How else can we claim to have a relationship with the Lord if we can not sense His presence. Look at the life of Paul the Apostle, Daniel, Ezra, Moses and others. They all served the Lord, experienced His presence and responded in obedience. Imagine how our lives would be affected if we too were to experience God’s presence. Let’s examine God’s word and learn how we too can position ourselves to experience the presence of the Lord.
Jesus Fasted 40 days in the Wilderness to pray to the Father
Zacheus climbed a tree in the path that Jesus walked.
Nicodemus visited with Jesus in the quiet of the night.
Mary rested at the feet of Jesus.
The 10 Virgins. 5 prepared to meet the groom, 5 did not.
We need Spiritual Discipline.
- Read The Word
- Meditate
- Learn
- Prayer
- Worship
- Evangelize
- Serve
- Stewardship
- Fasting
- Silence and Solitude
- Journaling
- Persevere
Desire Spiritual Maturity.
Discover Your Gift
Walk In The Spirit
Become a Receiver of God’s Blessings
Asking without receiving is not productive. Our receiver is not working the way it should.
God’s Grace Is resistable and too often it is not received. Refer to the wedding feast of the lord and how many would not come to the feast.