OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST

Introduction – I John 3:1 and II Cor. 6:16 – We are God’s Children, Sons / Daughters

• Identity gives definition to who a person is, clarifying the person’s value and worth first of all to himself and then to others.

• How one perceives oneself shapes his core beliefs, therefore affecting how he thinks, acts, and behaves.

• A man typically identifies himself by what he does and a woman by her relationships.

• Identity is composed of physical attributes, heritage, possessions, backgrounds, and aspirations.

• The foundation of our identity comes from the One to whom we belong – our Creator, Almighty God anf Father – (Jn. 1:12-13)

Definition in a dictionary basically means “Same-ness”

• We can identify physical, mental, and emotional likeness to our parents.

• Adopted children take on a likeness to their adoptive parents through “imitation” and “relationship”.

• Eph. 1:4-5 – Just as He [Father] chose us in Him [Jesus], before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons [and daughters] by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.

• Eph. 5:1 – Therefore be imitators of God as dear children!

The KEY to Knowing and Living in our Identity -

• We are the dwelling place of God, - II Cor. 6:16 – RE-READ!

• I Jn. 3:1 – (ReRead) - Being in the family of God bears in us an image of His divine characteristics.

o At your spiritual birth “an incorruptible seed” was deposited in you.

o That seed (sperma in Greek) of your Heavenly Father carries all His character qualities so we can grow into His likeness.

• We are then image-bearers of God, and “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” - Eph. 2:19

o Gen. 1:27 – we are created in God’s image and His breath was breathed into us.

• Jesus is the cornerstone of our foundation (Eph. 2:10; 3:17-19) who roots us in the Father’s love.

o Gal. 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

• For our citizenship is in heaven… - Phil. 3:20

What does our identity in Christ do for us?

• It establishes boundaries [God’s law and ways], direction and defines our responses] [obedience via understanding].

• Jn. 7:17-18 READ – produces within us a desire to know and understand in order to

• Respond in obedience – I Jn. 5:3 – For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are NOT burdensome!

• Grows Compassion within us –

o I Jn. 3:16—18 – By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world’s good and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Hm.

We are “in” Christ – this phrase is used more than 170 times in the New Testament.

Eph. 1:3 – I am blessed with every spiritual blessing.

Eph. 1:4 – I was chosen before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in God’s sight.

Eph. 1:5 – I was chosen to be adopted as His child through Christ.

Eph. 1:7 – I am forgiven.

Eph. 1:11 – I have received an eternal inheritance from God.

Eph. 1:13 – I am identified as God’s own by receiving the Holy Spirit by which I am sealed.

We are “positioned” in Christ –

Eph. 2:5 – I am alive in Christ.

Eph. 2:6 – I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.

Eph. 2:7 – I am an example of God’s grace.

Eph. 2:8 – I am saved by His grace.

Eph. 2:10 – I am God’s masterpiece.

Eph. 2:13 – I belong to Christ.

Eph. 2:18 – I have direct access to God through the Spirit.

God views us through Christ Jesus –

Ro. 5:1 – I have peace with God.

Ro. 5:11 – I am reconciled to God.

Ro. 5:19 – I have Christ’s righteousness.

Ro. 8:1 – I am not condemned by God and I walk in the Spirit.

Ro. 8:17 – I am an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ.

Mt. 5:13 - I am the salt of the earth.

Mt. 5:14 – I am the light of the world.

Jn. 15:2 – I am a fruitful branch in Christ.

Jn. 15:5 – I abide in Christ.

Jn. 15:15 – I am Christ Jesus’ friend.

Eph. 1:1 – I am a saint.

Col. 2:7 – I am rooted and built up in Christ; established in faith; abounding in thanksgiving.

Col. 3:3 – I am hidden with Christ in God.

Col. 3:12 – I am chosen by God, holy and dearly loved.

I Pet. 2:5 – I am one of God’s living stones, built in Christ as a spiritual house.

I Pet. 2:9 – I am chosen by God, a royal priest, His special people/son or daughter.

I Pet. 2:10 – I have His mercy.

Memorize Ro. 8:15-17 (READ to close) For you did not receive the spirit of bondage to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry Abba, Father. The Spirit Himself bears witness within our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…