Our Identity in
Christ
The entire Bible from Genesis to
Revelation points to Christ. Christ alone offers hope of salvation to the fallen
human race. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans
3:23. The world is under Satan’s bondage and is blind and deaf to the
things of God. Redeemed sinners are given a new identity in Christ. They are
given eyes to see and ears to hear. The Bible is a story of redemption and is
chalk full of passages describing the identity of believers in Christ. Studying scripture, aided by the Spirit, helps
us to understand our identity. He tells us who he is and who we are in his word.
I have listed three small passages
below as well as a list of descriptions of our identity in him as a brief
summary. The list is not comprehensive but includes some scripturally based
definitions which came to my mind.
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my
soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of
salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom
decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns
herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer
I who live, but Christ who lives in
me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
If then you have been raised with Christ,
seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand
of God. Set your minds on things that are above,
not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden
with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also
will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4
Free. Alive. Redeemed. Cleansed. Forgiven. Righteous. Hidden. True
worshipers.
New Creations. Born again. Holy. The bride of Christ. Sheep. Heirs of
God. Royal priesthood.
Adopted sons and daughters of the Most High God. Christ’s brethren. Indwelt
by the Spirit.
Bought. Sealed. Rejoiced over. White as snow. Little ones. Atoned. Pure.
Blessed. Rich.
Chosen. Elect. Called. Found. Pilgrims. Sojourners. Not of the world.
Upheld. Carried. Sheltered. Shepherded. Led. Beloved. The apple of his eye. Sinners
saved by grace. Christians.
Our Identity is not found in our sins or our good works
A few years ago, I
went through a season of wandering and significant sin struggles. I wandered to
a spiritual cliff and was teetering over the edge, but praise be to God, deceitful
gusts could not blow me over the edge. Praise be to God that he did not give me
over to the idolatry within my heart. The Lord tells us: “I give them eternal life, and they will never
perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:28. I have learned that no one, includes myself
and my wandering ways.
As I struggled with
the sin, the sin fought to lay claim over my life. I had fallen and was fearful
of being utterly cast out. Yet there was One who had laid claim of me, One who
would not let the sin take me back into bondage. By the grace of my Savior, I overcame that
struggle. After the fact, the sin hung over my head, bringing up guilt and
shame. Although, I knew I was forgiven, the past gnawed at me. Recently, the
Lord brought healing as he rooted out pride and made me take a stronger hold of
my identity in Christ. I am a sinner saved by grace.
When sin threatens
to define you, and when Satan accuses you with past sins, go back to the gospel
(Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.) Study grace.
“Come now, let us reason together,
says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though
they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Isaiah
1:18
God’s grace reaches
those he loves, no matter how grievous their sins, leading them to repentance.
The Father offers forgiveness with open arms. He offers forgiveness to those
who once blind to their sins, now see them for what they are. He offers forgiveness
to believers who wander; Jesus never tires of daily washing our feet. He will never deny anyone who comes to him and
he will never cast out anyone who has trusted in him for forgiveness. Our Lord
tells us in John 6:37: “All that the Father gives me will come to me,
and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” The Son will never void his atonement
for our sins and the Father will never negate our adoption; we are sealed by
the Holy Spirit. God’s covenant with his children will never be broken. There
are no sins too big for God to forgive.
Likewise, there are no works big enough for us to earn our own
righteousness. We enter heaven on Christ’s merits not our own. Trying to earn
favor with God is an abomination to him. We are not defined by the good works
we do. The righteousness of Christians
is not earned. It is given. It is the righteousness
of Christ imputed to us. Although good works cannot be used to earn favor with
God, good works in the Christian are a fruit of faith. The Spirit by his power brings forth good
works in us. There is no room for
boasting in the gifts and good works he has wrought in us. For more information
on good works, I recommend reading the Westminster confession of Faith- ChapterXVI.
When good works threaten to define you, go back to the gospel. Study
grace.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And
this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result
of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Galatians
6:14-15
