Your identity in Christ

Dear body of Christ, Identity.

Identity has synonyms like 'character' and 'personality'.

Identity according to Merriam Webster dictionary is 'the distinguishing character or personality of an individual' by this definition, you could say your identity sets you apart, makes you different, makes you stand out.

Who you are is your identity.

Once you are saved through Jesus Christ, you are no longer you own but God's and you are a new creation in Christ so your identity becomes what God says about you.

It's important to know our identity cause without it who are we? We have to stand firm on who Father says we are. So we don't get swayed by the world's perception of what we should be.

The scriptures says we are:

1. Made in His Image 

Genesis 1: 27 'so God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them'

By extension you are beautiful and should exude God's glory.

2. You are loved: 1 John 4: 19 'We love because he first loved us'. 

Romans 5:8 'but God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners'

We were worth dying for; God shows He loved us first by dying for our sins and nothing can separate us from His love.

3. You are chosen: Ephesians 1:4 'even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes'

Isn't it amazing to know that God picked you? For me, the realization that I was handpicked by Father is reassuring.

4. You are His child

1 John 3:1 'see how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him'

5.  You are light

Matthew 5: 14 'You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden'

We are meant to shine, it's our nature as God's children. God's light in us tears down every stronghold of darkness. Light is attractive; your light might be the reason why someone joins our family; so, Glow!

6. The temple of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 3: 16 'don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?'

He lives in us, lets act like it. Keep your temple undefiled.

7. You are forgiven Ephesians 1: 7 'he is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.'

Pops WILL forgive you, don't refrain from asking, He doesn't see your sin, He just wants His child.

8. Fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139: 14 'I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well'

I recommend this song I grew up listening to as a kid. The God of the universe fearfully and wonderfully made you and I; we are beautiful, so move like it!

9. A new creation 2 Corinthians 5: 17 'therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new'

The beautiful thing about the blood of Jesus is; it covers and washes away your 'old' so we stand as new creations in Christ, blamess before God. So whenever you're down in sin, remember Jesus died for that exact reason, our sinfulness. So get up and keep walking!

10. Guarded by God's peace

Philippians 4: 7 'and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus'

11. Precious Isaiah 43: 4 'others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you'

12. You're saved Ephesians 2:8 'God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God'

By grace through faith in Christ Jesus we are saved. Not by our works. Salvation is God's gift to us. Own it!

13. You are Heard Jeremiah 29: 12 'in those days when you pray, I will listen'

Father hears you and listens even when it doesn't 'feel' like it (feelings are not dependable)

14.  You are victorious 1 John 5: 4 'for every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith'

Yours is the victory in Christ. 

15. You are set free

Galatians 5: 1 'so Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law'

Freedom from addictions, from old habits, from our old life in sin, from death, from the world and it's precepts; freedom from anything holding us captive. Christ has made us free. Live the life of freedom.

16. Ephesians 2:10 'For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago'

You are God's best artwork, a masterpiece!! God's masterpiece. (I'm melting 🥴)

17. You are citizens of heaven and belong to God's family

Ephesians 2:19 'so now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family'

This is my favorite; I have a 'God family', you have a 'God family', we belong collectively to God's family. 

Who we are as the body of Christ is what God says about us, how He views us

Our shortcomings, failures, disappointments even achievements don't define us. We are defined by God.

As long as you're in Christ, His view of you never wavers no matter what might have been done, God's love is unwavering.

Let us continue to walk in the awareness of our identity in Christ Jesus as God's children.

I love you! God loves you more!