5 Truths about Your Identity in Christ (Repost)
Most of our beliefs about who we are are falsely shaped by the devil, the world, and our own fallen flesh. One of Satan’s biggest tactics is to mentally accuse us of being less than we really are. The devil enjoys reminding us of our many past failings, sins, and mistakes in life, and the world holds out its own versions of “perfection” and shows us how inadequate it perceives us to be. We constantly compares ourselves with others, resulting either in prideful condescension or depressing despair.
We must think rightly. If we treasure and trust Jesus more than anything, we are genuine Christians, and this is our primary identity for life and eternity. Here are five truths to read, remember, and believe about who Christians truly are:
1) Washed. Cleaned. Declared Innocent. Atoned. Not Condemned.
Jesus has come to “put away sin” (Hebrews 9:26) and take away guilt (Isaiah 6:7). Christians are described as “new creations” (2 Corinthians 5:17) who are “washed” and “justified” (1 Corinthians 6:11). No matter what we have done in the past, we must receive and believe the truth that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1-2 ESV).
2) Loved.
Our world is full of hate and largely lacks love. Many of us have been hurt and betrayed by those who should have loved us better. Jesus loves us perfectly and completely. We must remember truths such as “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) and hear God’s proclamation that “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). What a wonderful and secure promise it is that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).
3) Never Alone.
Life can be lonely and difficult. We must remember that even when people abandon and forget us, God never does. God has given us His Spirit as a reminder and guarantee that Jesus is coming back, but until that day God is still with us with His indwelling Spirit. “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
4) Purposed.
Oftentimes we can fall into despair, thinking ourselves worthless and purposeless. But God tells us that we are no accident, “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). May we live and speak with purpose, united with Jesus to bring His message of reconciliation to the dark and hopeless world around us (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
5) Saints.
This might be the last thing we consider ourselves to be. But it is true. God has declared and made us holy, set apart saints. Accordingly He calls us to live in holiness by imitating God (Ephesians 5:1-3). Christians, we “are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Praise God for His mercy!