Knowing Your Identity: Who I Am in Christ

How do you see yourself? In the eyes of God, who are you? Knowing who you are in Christ Jesus, that you are a new creation in Christ. When you know who you are, why you are here and where you are going, you are on your way to fulfil your true calling in Christ Jesus. One of the most important revelations that we can get from the Word of God is to understand who we are in Christ.

As Christian women not only is it important that we know our identity in Christ, but it is essential that we embrace that identity and learn to walk confidently in it.  

Your identity is not based on the opinions of others, your professional success, your performance, how you see yourself, what other people say about you, even yet, your past does not determine your Identity in Christ Jesus. Your Identity is in Christ Jesus. Walking in your identity gives you the opportunity to experience God’s unconditional love, his goodness in a new and fresh way.

And it allows us to share His love confidently and boldly with others. Once we base our lives on who Jesus says we are, and how God sees us, we no longer feel the need to find our worth in our external circumstances, or what someone else says, remember, Jesus does not have to evaluate us and our choices. The price was already paid when Jesus died on the cross. Your past life was nailed to Jesus’ cross.

What is Identity?

The Webster’s dictionary defines it as the distinguishing character or personality of an individual.

The Merriam- Webster the distinguishing character or personality of an individual: INDIVIDUALITY

What Does the Bible say About My Identity in Christ?

The Bible says we have been crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20). Not only did we die with Him on the cross at Calvary, we also have been raised with Him. Praise the Lord.

EPHESIANS 2:4–7 (NKJV)
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

We are seated with Christ in heavenly places. When we really understand our identity in Christ—who we are in Him—it changes the way we think and live.

2 Corinthians 5:17  (NKJV) says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” That same verse in The Living Bible says, “When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand-new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!”

Whether you realize it or not, when you gave your life to Jesus, you became a new creation. You are completely new. The old things died, nailed to the cross with your sin nature. Everything that is part of your old nature, everything in your past life—natural pride, love of sin, reliance on works, and your former opinions, habits, and passions, all nailed to Jesus’ cross. 

Before we were in Christ, we were destined for death and destruction. Now we are destined for eternal life (1 John 2:25). We have an eternal home with Jesus.

Before Christ, we were destined for despair, degradation, and poverty. But in Christ, we are destined to have life and have it more abundantly, to the full, to the overflow (John 10:10).

Who In the Bible Struggled with Identity?

Moses was responsible for the rescue of the many Jewish people from slavery, leading them to the promised land. His mother saved this future ambassador and prophet by placing him in a basket in the Nile during a period in history where the Egyptian Pharaoh ordered all Hebrew babies killed.

Moses was raised as the Pharaoh’s grandson which helps him acquire needed life skills to prepare him for his future calling.

But before he could use the wisdom and strength acquired in the Pharaoh’s family and become the leader he is destined to be, he questioned his identity.

One day He stands up for injustice against the Hebrews, but in his anger kills an Egyptian. When questioned by a fellow Egyptian, “who do you think you are, telling us what to do?” He panics and flees Egypt.

Maybe he acted out of impulse or frustration; perhaps Moses always struggled feeling like a fraud. His identity took a detour for many years after he fled his home until he was approached by God to get back on track: he had a job to do despite his setback and flaws.

He once again questions his identity when God calls him to return to Egypt to rescue the enslaved Hebrews,

“But why me? What makes you think that I could ever go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

Paul the Apostle, struggled with his identity. He was a well-documented missionary, spreading the gospel of Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike and wrote half of the New Testament.

His identity struggles probably began at a young age and he continued for years to raise dangerous havoc for believers.

He probably walked around with emboldened confidence as a representative of the Jewish high priests, causing pain, destruction, and death to followers of Christ.

Paul’s identification with cruelty and hate was soon challenged when He meet God on the road to Damascus. He came face to face with God who questioned him about his identity.

“Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me?”. At that moment Saul asked, “Lord what do you want me to do? “Acts 9:4-6

God calls those things that are not as though they were (Rom. 4:17). In the natural realm, what God is calling us may not exist. But in His eyes, it does. So, we need to talk about ourselves the same way God does.

Why Is It Important to Know Your Identity in Christ?

It is important that every born-again believer know what they are entitled to in the Kingdom of God. You have access to everything Jesus has. Many Christians do not know that they have an inheritance in Christ Jesus. You have an inheritance in Christ Jesus.

1.  As a child of of God: You Are an Heir of God.

When you were born again, Jesus moved in with everything He has. You became an heir to a fortune…when you gave your life to Jesus.” Every blessing, every benefit—belongs to you.

 Romans 8:17 says, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (NIV).

2.  As a child of God: You Are an Heir Because You Are a Joint Heir with Jesus

When you accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you joined God’s family. You became one of His children, and you received the same rights and privileges that Jesus has.

Romans 8:17, NKJV, refers to you as a joint heir with Jesus. What a powerful description! You are no longer a sinner saved by grace; you are a joint heir with Jesus, raised up to do the Father’s business.

 Christ Jesus. His only Son. Galatians 3:13-14 says He redeemed us from the curse by being made a curse for us so that THE BLESSING of Abraham would come on us and be made available to us. This is why it is important to know what belong to you in Christ Jesus.

What is Spiritual Identity and How Do I find It?

Your spiritual identity is linked to you believing in Jesus and accepting His love for you.  You must make the decision to trust Him completely with your life.

What Does It Mean When My True Identity is in Christ?

 ^“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

Who I Am in Christ?

YOU ARE CHOSEN

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.   (Ephesians 1:4-6)

Not only did God choose us in accordance with His will and purpose for our lives, but He chose us before He ever created the heavens and the earth!  He had us on his mind. Look at what he tells the prophet Jeremiah:

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.  (Jeremiah 1:5)

I don’t’ know about you but knowing that God chose me before He created the world not only amazes me, but it helps me to see just how special I truly am to him, how much he loves me.

You Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

For you created my inmost being you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. (Psalm 139:13-15)

God does not make mistakes.  Those eyes, that nose, that mouth, those hips, your complexion, the type of hair you have, your height – they were all planned and crafted by God! There is no one like you. You are an original.

He knows every detail of our bodies.  EVERY. LITTLE. DETAIL.

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  (Luke 12:7)

So, when we allow the devil or the world’s system in which we live to trick us into thinking that we are ugly, deficient, lacking, or not enough, we must remind ourselves of who God says we are – fearfully and wonderfully made!  

There is no other ‘you’ on the planet.  God knit you together exactly the way He intended you to be.  

In fact, even those Christians with disabilities or handicaps (whether they were born that way or became that way) are NOT a mistake.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me.  Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “Wash in the Pool of Siloam”.  So, the man went and washed, and came home seeing.  (John 9:1-7)

Whether we realize it or not, everything about us is meant for the glory of God – in one way, shape, or form. 

YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD

This one may go without saying, but as a Christian, you are in fact a child of God!

• Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.  John 1:12-13
• And I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.  2 Corinthians 6:18
• For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:14-16
• This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.   Ephesians 3:6
• Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2:19-20

Do you understand that we are NOT like ordinary people in this world that do not have a relationship with God? God is our Heavenly Father, and we have been adopted into His family.  We belong to Him!

And because we are His children and belong to Him, we inherit all the promises and privileges that come along with that!

Related: Embracing Your Identity in Christ

YOU ARE LOVED

As Christians, we recognize that we are loved by God.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  (1 John 4:9-10)

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  (1 John 3:1)

And NOTHING will separate us from God’s love:

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.   (Romans 8:38-39)

YOU ARE FORGIVEN

As Christians, so many of us struggle with forgiving ourselves and moving on, leaving those things we have done in the past. We often get trapped in a state of spiritual complacency because we allow our minds, and the devil to deceive us into thinking that God cannot use us because of our past.

When you start to face negative thoughts like this, remind yourself of these verses:

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.  (Ephesians 1:7)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.   (1 John 1:9)

The devil will have you so fixated on your flaws, mistakes, and sins that sometimes you will not even realize it. But, through our relationship with Christ, God has given us grace and mercy. And whether you know it or not, Grace and Mercy follows us all the days of our lives. He has already forgiven us for past, present, and even future sins.  We must forgive ourselves, embrace His Word about forgiveness, and move on in our purpose for Him.

YOU ARE A REPRESENTATIVE OF CHRIST

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.  (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Unlike in Old Testament days, God does not appear on the earth in a cloud or speak to people in an audible voice out of a burning bush.  However, because He sent His Holy Spirit to live in us, all Christians are essentially ambassadors (representatives) of Christ. The Holy Spirit is living in you.

So, what exactly does that mean?  What does being a representative of Christ look like in real life?  

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.   1 Peter 2:9

• You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16
• A new command I give you: Love one another.   As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.  John 13:34-35
• Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32
• For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.  1 Corinthians 3:9
• For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10
• A representative of Christ declares the praises of God.  They let the light of Jesus shine through them wherever they go so that people can see that there is not only something different about them, but they see Christ. Christ in you, the hope of glory. 
• A representative shows love and extends forgiveness in a world full of hatred.  A representative works in diligent service unto God, seeking to obey His Word.
• As a Christian, we do not just represent our household, our family heritage, our race, our business, our local church.  First and foremost, we seek to represent Christ in everything.

You Are Victorious

If anyone has ever told you being a Christian was easy, or that it would eliminate all problems from your life, they did not tell the truth.  In fact, the bible tells us in numerous places that we will face difficulties.

However, the beauty of being a Christian is that God has equipped us through our relationship with Him to walk in victory and overcome any situation that life may bring!

• The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.  Psalm 34:19
• I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.  John 16:33
• You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
• For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  1 John 5:4

Because Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and conquered death via his resurrection, we too are now victorious over sin, and the obstacles of everyday living! 

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  (Romans 8:31-37)

No matter what you face or go through in life, always remember that you are not only a conqueror, but the bible says you are more than a conqueror!  We just have to learn to walk in the victory that God has already redeemed for us.

You are in Christ

Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). 

To be “in Christ” means we have been accepted in the beloved. A Divine Exchange took place when Jesus exchanged our old sinful life for His divine life at the foot of the cross: our old sin nature for His perfect one. Now our lives is hidden in Christ with God.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is your^[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)

How Can We Live Our Identity in Christ?

Spend Time in His Presence.

Psalm 16:11: Thou wilt show me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Live A Life for God.

2 Corinthians 5:15: And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Present your body to God

 1 Cor. 6:19: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own

Study the Word

God does not change. We need to study the Word of God to find direction, insight, for our lives. His words are faithful and true (Rev. 22:6). He “is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). And when you are a Christian, His Spirit dwells within you (1 Cor. 3:16).

As believers and God’s creations, we are seated with Christ in the heavens. Let us be women of the Word who meditate on His promises every day.

Set aside time to be still. 

Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God”

Rather than using this time to check your social media accounts or text friends, use it to talk to God. Listen to Him. Even five minutes a day can make a difference.

Ask God to change you.

Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches (John 15:5). We cannot bear fruit without Him. He is in control. Our identities are rooted in Him and Him alone. With proper care and attention, those roots will grow deep. Like plants, when we are rooted in Christ and live for Him, we grow stronger and flourish into who He has designed us to be.

As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted, and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Col. 2:6–7)

Friend, God made you on purpose. He gave you your gifts, talents and even your weaknesses. Because He wants you to look to Him for your identity and definition of who you are. Let God use you like He made you. He has a perfect plan for you.

Listen to His words because His words matter most. You are a treasure – a masterpiece. You are His “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand” so that you would walk in your destiny.

It is time for the body of Christ to get in their position. To take our stand in our identity knowing who we are in Christ Jesus. To stand up and be who God says we are. And we need to let the devil know that we know who we are in Christ.

In Christ we are a new creation, and this newness affects every area of our lives. For the first time, we become spiritually alive. And as we see ourselves the way GOD sees us, we walk with confidence, because we trust the ONE who answers the question, who am I?”

Related: Embracing Your Identity

My Prayer

Father, In the Name of Jesus, thank You that in Christ I have been made a new creation. Thank You that the day is coming when the curse on the whole of Your groaning creation will be lifted. Until that time I pray that I may live and work to Your praise and glory until you come in Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.

Resources to Help You Grow in Faith

Free Printable Bible Reading Plan

Yes, this FREE printable Bible Reading Plan and Bible Verse  is for you to download and enjoy! Decorate your home with them or print and frame these scriptures as a gift for a friend to bring encouragement to their life.

There is power in God’s living word, and we can never get enough of it! Turn off the news and fill your mind with scripture and truth instead. The best way to do so is by spending time reading the bible along with this Bible Reading Plan and Bible Verse.

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