Our Identity in Christ

Spreading The Truth One Byte At A Time

By Ron Bender© 2008, 2013

Your fingerprint is unique to you—it’s a physical mark of your identity. What about your personal identity? What defines who you are?

Imagine if the cross of Jesus Christ was the most dominant marking of your self-concept? You’d know that you are so loved! You’d be so stable and confident! You’d be enthusiastically sharing the grace of the Lord with everyone you could!

Live in Christ

The Apostle Paul prayed for you “that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him” (Ephesians 3:17, NLT).  He knew that receiving Christ into our heart-dwelling was the beginning of growing into God’s way of abundant living.

But Paul wanted us grow beyond receiving Christ in me.  He showed us that Christ was welcoming us into his home, to live with him and in him, to live in his way and for his glory, to be a blessing to him and to other people in his name.  We’re invited to live free in Christ!

“In Christ.”  That’s your true identity! That’s the key to your life!  The Apostle Paul implores us to live our lives “in Christ.”  He lives this way himself, boasting, “I glory in Christ” (Romans 5:17).  In fact, in his epistles he encourages us to be “in Christ,” “in him,” or “in the Lord” 160 times! He says it again and again and again.  “In Christ… In Christ… In Christ…”

What is your identity in Christ? Here are some examples from Paul’s letters in the Bible of the great blessings of being in Christ, marked in your identity as Jesus’ disciple and friend:

“In Christ…”

There is no condemnation for us (Romans 8:1)

We can never be separated from God’s love (Romans 8:39)

We who are many form one body (Romans 12:5)

We have wisdom from God (1 Corinthians 1:30)

We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

We become God’s children (Galatians 3:26)

We have every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)

We have the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7)

We were also chosen (Ephesians 1:11)

We are for the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:12)

We have been seated in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6)

We’ve been given the incomparable riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:7)

We who were once far away have been brought near (Ephesians 2:13)

We may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 2:22)

We are light (Ephesians 3:12)

We are holy and faithful (Ephesians 5:8)

Our joy overflows (Philippians 1:26)

We have glorious riches (Philippians 4:19)

All things hold together (Colossians 1:17)

We have our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27)

Are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge for us (Colossians 1:28)

We are rooted and built up (Colossians 2:7)

We have been given fullness (Colossians 2:9-10)

We come into reality (Colossians 2:17)

Our life is now hidden (Colossians 3:3)

We will rise from the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

We can give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

We have faith, hope, and love (1Timothy 1:1, 14)

We gain an excellent standing and great assurance (1 Timothy 3:13)

We have the promise of life (2 Timothy 1:1)

How do you feel when you read this list? Which “in Christ” identifications do you most need to take hold of in your heart? Tell a friend and pray about this together.

More Bytes Of Truth

If your identity is hurting, if you feel bad about yourself, “A New Name from God will Free you of Shame” offers encouragement.

 

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Thank you!

Ron

Ronald Bender- President/CEO Bender Consulting.~http://www.benderbytes.net/bender_consult