LIVE IN CHRIST
Identity In Christ; Living In Christ
Many things pull at us to claim our identity. Among some of these possessive things are our culture, environment, and self-perception. However, for those who are followers of Christ, our identity should have been metamorphosed into that of a Christ-like human. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” So, what are some of the identifying traits, markers or characteristics Christians should have by being in relationship with Christ?
1. In Christ – we are saved from a eternally, damned future. “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” – Acts 2:38
2. In Christ – we have healing to distribute as well as to receive. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’” – Acts 3:6
3. In Christ – we publicly acknowledge His control and leadership of our lives through Baptism. "Then Peter said, ’Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” – Acts 10:46-48
4. In Christ – we have authority to cast out demons and evil spirits. "She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!' At that moment the spirit left her." – Acts 16:18
5. In Christ – we have right standing with Father God. “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,”. – Romans 3:22
6. In Christ – we were loved with the ultimate sacrifice and continually loved by His faithfulness no matter our pitfalls. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
7. In Christ – we are now reconciled. “Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” – Romans 5:11
8. In Christ – we find and walk in grace, righteousness and eternal life. “The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 5:20-21
9. In Christ – we are not condemned. Romans 8:1
10. In Christ – we have an interceder for us. Romans 8:34.
11. In Christ – we have God’s Presence always. Romans 8:39.
12. In Christ – we are sons and daughters of God. Galatians 3:26
There are numerous more instances where the Believer’s Identity – In Christ – can be found in Scripture. However, I thought this would be a good start and foundation to remind us who and what we have, especially when the enemy visits and tries to change our identity.
Many things pull at us to claim our identity. Among some of these possessive things are our culture, environment, and self-perception. However, for those who are followers of Christ, our identity should have been metamorphosed into that of a Christ-like human. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” So, what are some of the identifying traits, markers or characteristics Christians should have by being in relationship with Christ?
1. In Christ – we are saved from a eternally, damned future. “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” – Acts 2:38
2. In Christ – we have healing to distribute as well as to receive. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’” – Acts 3:6
3. In Christ – we publicly acknowledge His control and leadership of our lives through Baptism. "Then Peter said, ’Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” – Acts 10:46-48
4. In Christ – we have authority to cast out demons and evil spirits. "She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!' At that moment the spirit left her." – Acts 16:18
5. In Christ – we have right standing with Father God. “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,”. – Romans 3:22
6. In Christ – we were loved with the ultimate sacrifice and continually loved by His faithfulness no matter our pitfalls. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
7. In Christ – we are now reconciled. “Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” – Romans 5:11
8. In Christ – we find and walk in grace, righteousness and eternal life. “The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 5:20-21
9. In Christ – we are not condemned. Romans 8:1
10. In Christ – we have an interceder for us. Romans 8:34.
11. In Christ – we have God’s Presence always. Romans 8:39.
12. In Christ – we are sons and daughters of God. Galatians 3:26
There are numerous more instances where the Believer’s Identity – In Christ – can be found in Scripture. However, I thought this would be a good start and foundation to remind us who and what we have, especially when the enemy visits and tries to change our identity.
The Devil loves to play mind games (schemes is used in Ephesians 6:11) with the followers of Christ. One of the tricks he will employ is a convincing half-truth that he submits or slides across the “table” for us to blow out-of-proportion and accept as truth. He used this tactic in the beginning with Adam and Eve at The Garden saying, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” – Genesis 3:1
First Satan places doubt in his target, then he submits his lie(s) for consideration - “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” - Genesis 3:4
Remember what Christ Jesus said about the Devil? “the devil,…..He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” – John 8:44 So, recognizing there is no truth found in the devil, let us re-read his consideration to Eve.
1. “You will not certainly die.” Did they and humanity die when they disobeyed God concerning the one instruction given them? Yes. Their and our relationship with Father God was severed.
2. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened,” Really? Were our eyes opened? On the contrary, they were shut or clouded at best.
3. “and you will be like God” We were already made in God’s image, but here Satan was trying to thrust us to usurp God’s throne because he couldn’t. Now our image was fallen and needed restoring.
4. “knowing good and evil” Do we always know what is good and evil? No. We still need God’s Holy Spirit to help us discern one from the other.
Another image of this tactic is when Joseph's brothers returned to their father Jacob with Joseph's robe dipped in goat blood. The brothers only said, "We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son's robe." The seed of suggestion was planted and Jacob's part played out just as they thought, Jacob replied, "It is my son's robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces." (Genesis 37:31-34) Our enemy, the devil, uses this same tactic so beware.
Remember what Christ Jesus said about the Devil? “the devil,…..He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” – John 8:44 So, recognizing there is no truth found in the devil, let us re-read his consideration to Eve.
1. “You will not certainly die.” Did they and humanity die when they disobeyed God concerning the one instruction given them? Yes. Their and our relationship with Father God was severed.
2. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened,” Really? Were our eyes opened? On the contrary, they were shut or clouded at best.
3. “and you will be like God” We were already made in God’s image, but here Satan was trying to thrust us to usurp God’s throne because he couldn’t. Now our image was fallen and needed restoring.
4. “knowing good and evil” Do we always know what is good and evil? No. We still need God’s Holy Spirit to help us discern one from the other.
Another image of this tactic is when Joseph's brothers returned to their father Jacob with Joseph's robe dipped in goat blood. The brothers only said, "We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son's robe." The seed of suggestion was planted and Jacob's part played out just as they thought, Jacob replied, "It is my son's robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces." (Genesis 37:31-34) Our enemy, the devil, uses this same tactic so beware.
There is an identity crisis in our world today. People don’t know who they are. Some people feel they have to do some soul searching to find out their true self. Some have a problem with multiple personalities. Others do not even think they should be the gender they were born with, that God somehow made a mistake.
Because of the spirit of confusion that is rampaging across the globe, I felt it imperative to communicate that if Christians are not standing and being Identified with Christ, then their fellow brothers and sisters and non-believers will follow anything.
Because of the spirit of confusion that is rampaging across the globe, I felt it imperative to communicate that if Christians are not standing and being Identified with Christ, then their fellow brothers and sisters and non-believers will follow anything.
Jesus, the Son of God, paid the ultimate sacrifice for whosoever would believe in Him to find all that they need, including their identity. However, not only did Jesus pay the price, but He was the first to conquer death, Hell and the grave. By Jesus not only supplying my payment for a restored relationship with Him, but also securing His victorious stance over all things – we too can do all things through Christ who gives us strength; we too can find and operate in the promises He made to us; we too can Live In Christ.
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