Identity In Christ
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17
The old has gone, the new is here!
We are a new creation in Christ! That is the exciting and wonderful truth of being a follower of Christ. We are no longer identified by our shortcomings, failures, and sin. But to the God of the universe, we are chosen heirs to His Kingdom.
Whether this passage is memorized or we are reading it for the first time, it can be difficult to wrap our minds around the implications and application of these words.
We are dead to sin
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 6:11
We are exposed to sin and its effects everywhere we go. We all have sinned, and been sinned against (Romans 3:23). Sin distorts our identity in Christ by allowing the enemy to plant foundational lies in our minds. This can be from believing what others say about us, or conclusions we draw from our own shortcomings. Things like:
I’m not good enough
I’m a burden on those around me
My opinion doesn’t matter
I will always lose
I am ugly - Inside and Out
I must be perfect
I am on my own (It’s up to me to fix…)
Once these lies take hold, they are reinforced by circumstances or people in our lives. The more we agree with these lies, the more power they have over us. The good news is that we don’t have to continue agreeing with lies. We are a new creation in Christ! We have the power to break the bondage of sin. We can repent (turn away) from the false identities the enemy and the world put on us.
Confess - Acknowledge that we believe lies and the power they have over us.
Repent - Turn away from those lies and put those old identities at the foot of the cross.
Forgive - Forgive those who gave us false identity and forgive ourselves for believing the lies.
Replace - Replace the lies with the truth; our new identity in Christ.
Application: Reflect on lies you may have believed and take them to the Lord.
New Creation
New identity only comes from the Lord. As we walk as Christians, doing our best to emulate Christ, the Lord imparts identity. Here is a list of a few ways identity could be received:
Scripture - What does God’s word say about our identity? (2 Timothy 1:17, Romans 8:37, and Joshua 1:9 are a few of my favorites)
Listening Prayers - Slowing down, listening to the Lord to speak.
Prophecy (Properly tested against scripture) - Let trusted friends and spiritual leaders speak into your situation while testing against scripture.
Prayer:
Lord, we pray that you impart your identity on us today so that we may be able to shed the lies we believe about ourselves and have the courage to step into the identity and purpose you have for us in this life. We glorify and exalt You in all things. Amen.
Written By: Dave Ergott