Embracing Your Identity in Christ

How would you respond if I asked you to describe your identity? Who are you? Your identity in Christ is far different from your personal identity which is commonly defined by your family role or job description. (I’m a Mom, or I’m a teacher, etc.) It also includes your personality traits, hobbies, likes and dislikes, etc. But these are just facts about you that change throughout your life. The life we have as believers means our old self died; He has made us a new creation!

Your Personal Identity

A cringe-worthy memory of my teen years reminds me how much we all feel a need to be liked; to be “worthy” in someone’s eyes. 

I was a very tall and gangly “nerdy” gal which earned me many unpleasant nicknames- “zipper”, “stick”, etc.
I read in a teen magazine that you make more friends if you just smiled more. So as a reminder, I attached a bright yellow sticker to my notebook that said “smile”.

Yeah, I don’t remember that working well. (Apparently, a mouth full of glaring metal walking down the hall is unimpressive.)

I was depending on the approval of others to validate my worth.

I tried to meet their expectations and gain inclusion, not knowing my core identity was a daughter of God.

Have you ever felt inadequate, unappreciated, or unloved? The voices and expectations of the world can be mighty loud.

There’s a better way to live.

Why Is It Important to Know your Identity in Christ?

Having a rock-solid understanding of your identity in Christ is essential to living your life in the way He intended. You don’t have to work to fit in or be someone you’re not. 

Jesus has rescued you, redeemed you, and brought you into His family forever. You are a completely new person and perfect in His eyes!

“The Lord your God is with you; He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with His love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17.

Who Does Jesus Say I Am?

Jesus has plenty to tell you about your identity. He wants you to know you can always turn to Him to lean on. His love is not dependent on appearance, words or actions.

He is so completely dependable that there is no situation He can’t walk you through. He always is available to listen to your thoughts, dreams, needs and struggles.

Jesus wants to give you direction and guidance in all aspects of your life.

Jesus deeply roots His Holy Spirit within us; we cannot change it, and He never leaves. Hurricane force trials don’t pull Him out of our lives.  

The voices of your world may overwhelm and discourage you. You may retreat from Him. But our identity in Him remains- and sometimes we just need a reminder.

Who In the Bible Struggled with Identity?

Moses was a Hebrew castaway adopted and brought up in an Egyptian world. He didn’t “fit in” with the surrounding culture; he hid his true identity. During the enslavement of his people; he lived as royalty.

He made a huge mistake when he murdered an Egyptian and ended up in the wilderness.

When God comes to Moses and gives him a job to do, Moses has another identity crisis: “Who am I, that I should go…?” (Exodus 3:11) 

He felt unworthy and incapable.

The world would tell Moses what a great candidate he was for the job. He had the inside intel on the palace and Pharaoh. He was smart and well educated in Egyptian ways.

But God knew Moses needed more than a pumping up of his self-image.  

God did not base His remedy for Moses’ insecurity and identity crisis on who Moses was, but who God is.

Defined by God

God has the answer to our identity issues. It is about who He is and what He can accomplish in our lives if we let Him.

God’s answer to Moses and to us is this:

“I will be with you.” Exodus 3:12.

In all things, at all times, He is with us. Every problem, every feeling of inadequacy, every painful circumstance- He is there with abundant resources to offer us.

Finding Your Identity in Christ

God’s Word has a lot to say about your new life in Christ!

You are Created in His Image

We can go back to the very beginning of creation to see our worth and identity when God created us “in His image.”

Genesis 1:27–“So God created humanity in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female, he created them.”

Ephesians 2:10– “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

God’s Unconditional Love 

Absolutely nothing can separate us from Jesus’ love. He wants us to feel secure, safe and surrounded by His love.

1 John 3:1- “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”

Romans 8:38-39 “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Jeremiah 31:3– “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

We Are God’s Children

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12.

Being physically born puts us into our family. Being born again of God’s family makes you spiritually alive.
That means we look to our heavenly Father in complete trust for all the guidance, love, and protection we need. We can go to Him anytime in prayer, speaking whatever is on our mind. 

Citizens of God’s Kingdom

Paul reminds us that as a believer in Christ, we are “fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.” Ephesians 2:19.

Our King is concerned about each one of His citizens and looks out for them. 

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” 1 Peter 2:9a.

You hold a privileged place in God’s household. He chose you and set you apart for a holy purpose. 

God Is With Us

Our Immanuel-God with Us– left his throne in heaven to come to us as Messiah.

As He was finishing His work on earth, He promised us, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) 

When we are lonely, we always have Jesus’ comforting presence.

Your Sins are Forgiven

Jesus, the Innocent one, died to atone for our sins. We, who are guilty, receive no punishment for our wrongs.
Jesus’ work on the cross bridged the chasm that existed between us and God.  

We have the gift of eternal life with Him as a secure promise. We could never accomplish this on our own.
Why did He do this? His great love for us and the desire to be with us forever. No one will ever love you more!

John 10:11- “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

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What Does God See When He Looks at Me?

 He sees you as His precious child and a uniquely created member of His family. You are the apple of His eye; protected and safe.

Psalm 17:8- “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”

Embracing your identity in Christ means you see yourself exactly as He sees you.

You are who He says you are, not believing the lies of the world. You are valuable and special to Him.

He made you in His image and willingly sacrificed His life for you. He has good works and plans for you!

Obstacles to Faith in Your Identity

These rich truths and promises are amazing and comforting and empowering. Then why are we so quick to forget them?

I listened to the world’s definition of me at times. I heard their interpretation of my life’s circumstances.  

Unresolved childhood sexual abuse left scars that made me see myself as “dirty” and “impure.”

Even after Jesus saved me, I always saw myself as entering Heaven and hiding in a back corner. I would be happy just to get a glimpse of His majesty and presence.

Surely I did not deserve the full “daughter of a King” treatment.

I felt judged for being divorced, a single parent, and even in remarrying. Many times it was Christians making me feel “less than.”  

Sometimes we listen to the opinions of others instead of the promises of God. These falsehoods creep in and we believe them and let them rule our days.

When we feel discouraged, worthless, lonely, or rejected, it’s time to remind ourselves of our identity in Christ.  

Take refuge in His Word, claim His promises, and live in His love and hope. Entrenching His promises deep in our hearts will help us when needed!

You are In Christ

Ephesians 1:3-14 is a beautiful recitation of some of the many blessings we have received through our Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit.
You will find “In Him” and “in Christ” mentioned many times. (I’m putting the truths of your identity in Christ in bold.)

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing (not a single one held back!) in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” 

“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.” 

“This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So, we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.” vv3-6.

“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure.” vv7-9

“Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News, that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.”vv11,13.

Believe What God Says About You

It’s all a bit overwhelming, isn’t it? We should be able to say without hesitation, “my identity in in Christ!” But the enemy is quick to condemn us and make us feel unworthy.

Jesus’ precious promises fly out the window whenever a trial or a perceived slight comes our way. 

Everyday Christian life is a series of setbacks and wins, challenges, and celebrations. We “press on” when we remember how valuable we are to Him and how much He sacrificed on our behalf. 

At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what God thinks of you! Reflect on these truths regularly. Fully embrace your new identity in Christ as a beloved child of God!

Blessings!

AnnMarie

Access this free printable in the Graphics section on my resource page.  Print it off and reflect on these truths.  Remind yourself of your identity in Christ!  He wants you to always remember how valuable you are to Him!♥

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