Identity

Have you ever asked yourself these questions, “Who am I?” “What is my purpose?” “Why am I here on earth?” Well, I believe that at some point in time, most people have asked these very questions, and wondered about their own identity.  We are exposed to so much from birth to adulthood, from the moment we open our eyes until we go to bed at night. Seeing so many world views on TV, from reporters to celebrities, from blogs to social media, everyone has an opinion making it challenging to know who we really are.

So as a believer, what does my identity in Christ mean?

When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you are adopted into the family of God. This means that you are no longer identified as a child without a father. Due to sin, we became separated from God, and were identified as orphans. When Jesus died on the cross, he redeemed us from our sin, and paid the way for us to be brought back into our rightful place with the Father. Our new identity makes us a son and a daughter of the King!

It’s equally important to know what your identity is not. Identity is not what you do or your position. Your identity is NOT your mistakes, shortcoming, failures, title, family history, disability, education, income bracket, married/single status, denomination, nor the challenges or circumstances you face.

Simply defined: Identity is what you think and believe.

The original design of our identity is found in Genesis 1:26-28. In this passage we learn that we are made in the image of God, we have the likeness of God and we possess the dominion of God. True identity resonates in truth. True identity eliminates the need to prove yourself to others. True identity protects you from seduction and affections of the world and it will send your enemy away.

When you realize who you are in Christ, you develop a newness in Christ. II Corinthians 5:17 teaches us, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. By faith, Christ lives in you and He loves you. In Christ, we are accepted, we are secure, and we are significant.

When you take time to search the scriptures about who you are in Christ, they will tell you that you are greatly loved by Him and that your strength, stability and ability lie in Him. Through Him, you are able to walk in power and authority in whatever He has called you to do. The scriptures tell you that God sees you differently than how the world may see you or how you may have seen yourself. The scriptures let you know that a new identity was given to you when you accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. The scriptures will teach you that you are significant, someone special, and that your identity in God is pretty wonderful and powerful.

The following are some truths from the word of God that justify who we are in Christ:

You are a saint – Ephesians 1:1

You are blessed – Ephesians 1:3

You are chosen – Ephesians 1:4

You are adopted – Ephesians 1:5

You are accepted and a recipient of his grace – Ephesians 1:6

You are redeemed and forgiven – Ephesians 1:7

You have an inheritance – Ephesians 1:11

You are sealed by the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13

You have access to wisdom and revelation through the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:17

Your eyes are focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do – Ephesians 1:18

You are made alive in Christ and are seated with him in heavenly places – Ephesians 2:6

You have been saved by grace through faith – Ephesians 2:8

You are God’s workmanship – Ephesians 2:10

You are brought near to God by the blood of Jesus Christ – Ephesians 2:13

You have been reconciled back to Christ through the cross – Ephesians 2:16

You have access to the Father by the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 2:18

You are no longer a stranger but a part of God’s household – Ephesians 2:19

You are an heir of God – Ephesians 3:6

You are a partaker of Christ’s promise – Ephesians 3:6

God’s power works through you and you are able to accomplish more than you ever thought or imagined you could – Ephesians 3:20

Knowing who you are in Christ through the word of God is the most credible identity marker you could ever have!

Written By: Tameka Echols