Identity is Received; not Achieved

Our identity in Christ is received; not achieved. Our identity in Christ has everything to do with what God does to us, the relationship He creates with us, and the destiny He appoints for us. God made us who we are so we could make Him known. Our identity is for the sake of making known His identity.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

At the heart of what it means to be a Christian is to receive a new identity. In Jesus, we do not lose our true selves, but we become our true selves, only in Him.  Christ is our life — not only the guarantee of it in heaven, but the down payment of it by the Spirit now, as He lives in us. His joy becomes our joy; His love, our love; His peace, our peace; His strength, our strength.

Three Foundational IDENTITY Truths

The answer to ‘what is our identity in Christ’ is found when we realize how God sees us and what God says about us.  Here are three foundational truths that will help you better understand your true identity in Christ Jesus.

1: We are forgiven: We are forgiven regardless of what we have done in our lives; all can soak in the forgiveness that Christ offers. When we try to attach our identity to things of this world and people, we are never fully satisfied, whereas God’s forgiveness and acceptance are all-encompassing with no restrictions.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

 2. We are loved: Jesus does not have to evaluate us and our choices. The price was already paid when He died on the cross in Jerusalem. Jesus loves us unconditionally and demonstrated it by laying down His own life.  Forgiveness is waiting for us to accept it.  It can be difficult to believe in God’s unconditional love for us when it is compared to the conditional love that this world so frequently offers.

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Psalm 36:5

3. We are called by God to embrace our identity in Christ and walk in love, righteousness, and purpose. True the world is enticing bringing with it momentary satisfaction, but it will never fully or truly satisfy in the very depth of our soul; whereas, walking alongside Jesus brings joy, peace and deep seated contentment.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

By accepting His free gift of forgiveness, accepting His eternal love and embracing our calling to walk in His purpose for our life, we stand firm upon the truth of our identity in Christ Jesus.