BIG IDEA
You have a new identity in Christ.
READING
Eph. 1, 2
THOUGHTS
As we grow as Jesus followers, we become more and more aware of our new identity. We no longer identify with our past. We begin to identify with who we are and who we are becoming.
As a result of Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection, God sees you differently too. You will notice in the New Testament verses that talk about all we have because we are “in Christ.” As you fol- low Jesus, you’ll discover all that this entails (John 15; Eph. 1–2; Col. 3:3–4).
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Cor. 5:17
God Is Your True and Perfect Father
When you picture God, what do you see? Do you see an old man with a long beard sitting on a throne? Do you see someone who is angry, wanting to punish you? As you walk with God, you will begin to see Him as He really is. He’s unlike famous mythical figures. He’s unlike our earthly parental examples. He’s the best example of a father you could imagine (John 14:6–21, 20:17; James 1:17).
And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Fa- ther.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Gal. 4:6–7
HERE ARE A FEW BENEFITS FOR BEING “IN CHRIST.”
A Child of God
When you come to faith, you are spiritually reborn as God’s son/ daughter. You become a child of God. This changes every- thing about you (John 3:3–6; Rom. 8:9, 15; Gal. 3:26; 1 John 3:1–3).
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 hus- band’s will, but born of God. John 1:12–13
Loved
God’s love for you always was and always will be unconditional. It’s not based on performance or behaviour. It’s based on His character and nature (John 3:16; Rom. 5:5, 8, 8:37–39; 1 John 4:7–11).
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! 1 John 3:1
Forgiven
You are totally and completely forgiven. God doesn’t hold your sin, no matter how terrible, against you. You are free from the power and consequences of sin (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:13–14, 2:13–15; 1 John 1:9).
There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Rom. 8:1
Others
A few other markers of our new identity include: uncondemned (Rom. 8:1), set free (Rom. 8:2,33), pure (1 Cor. 1:2), justified (Gal. 2:16); blessed (Eph. 1:4), recreated (Eph. 2:10), empowered (Phil. 4:13), friends of God (John 15:15), and heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:14).
DISCUSSION
- In your own words, describe your new identity.
- How does your new identity change how you begin to see yourself?