Our identity in Christ

1. Our identity inChrist –10th
May 2016
“Therefore, ifanyone isin Christ,the new creationhas come:[a]
The oldhas gone,the new ishere! (2
Corinthians5:17).
Identity of a person isdefinedas“the collectiveaspectof the setof characteristics of a person,groupor
evena country by which theyare definitivelyrecognizableorknown.Thereforewhenone speakof “our
newidentityinChrist”,thatidentity shouldbe clearly recognizablebothtoourselves inourownnature
and to others withwhomwe come incontact withinour walkof life.We canlearnas statedabove in 2
Corinthians5 that whenanyone isinChristbyseekingHimthroughfaithtoreceive salvation,thatpoint
on he or she becomesa newcreationas we term as ‘bornagain’.We can learnthis through2
Corinthians5:17, “Therefore, if anyoneis inChrist, the new creation hascome: The oldhas gone, the
new is here!
If one is“in Christ,”thatshouldbe evident,justasbeing“inthe world”isequallyevident.A further
definitionof identity is“the qualityorconditionof beingthe same assomethingelse.”Inthe case of our
identityinChrist, ideally ourlivesshouldindicate thatwe are the same as Christ through ourways,
actionsas we learnfromthe gospels.We canlearnthat the name “Christians”meansliterally“followers
of Christ”…a setof believerswhosehumannature is anidentityisinChrist! Humannature isthat which
makesus distinctlyhuman.Ournature isdistinctfromthatof the animalsandthe restof creationinthat
we can think,feel andourabilitytoreasonwhichisa unique giftbestowedbyGod.Our reasonenables
us to reflectonourown nature and the nature of God. We know whenwe dogood deedsandalsowhen
we do wrongdeedsandsinagainstGods teachingsforus. We have the abilityto read,learnand reason
out and derive knowledge of God'swill forus.Nootherpart of God’screationhas a nature capable of
reason.
Whenwe are born againwe receive a new identityinChrist.The firststepwithournew identityisthat
we are no longerslavestosin aswe can learnfrom Romans6:6, “For we know that our oldself was
crucifiedwith himso that the body ruled by sinmightbe doneaway with,that we shouldnolonger be
slavesto sin”. We can knowthat we are no longerslavestosinbecause we are reconciledtoGod as we
can learnfromRomans 5:10, “For if,whilewe were God’senemies,we were reconciled to himthrough
the death of hisSon, howmuch more, havingbeen reconciled,shall we be savedthrough hislife!.This
newidentitycompletelychangesourrelationshipwithGodandourfamilies,justasitchangesthe way
we see and reactin the world.
Our newidentityinChristmeanswe beginanew relationshipwithGod,like asdesiredfromusbyJesus
Christ—we are His children.Godhasadoptedusas childrenandthuswe are able to call Him “Abba!
Father!”We can learnthisin Romans 8:15–16,” The Spirit youreceived doesnot make you slaves,so
that you livein fear again;rather, the Spirityou received broughtabout youradoptionto sonship.And
by himwe cry, “AbbaFather.” 16
The Spirit himselftestifieswithour spirit that we are God’schildren”.
Thisnew relationship we begingets strongerthroughourwaysandactionsas Christians.Asbornagain
Christians,insteadof fearingGodasjudge,we have the greatprivilege of comingtoHimas our Father.
We can approachHim withconfidence andaskof Himwhat we need asstatedin Hebrews 4:16, “Let us

2. then approachGod’sthrone ofgrace withconfidence,so that we may receive mercy and findgrace to
help usin our time of need”. We can freely askforHisguidance andwisdom aswe can learnfrom James
1:5, “Ifany of youlacks wisdom,youshouldask God,who givesgenerouslyto all withoutfindingfault,
and it will be givento you”. We alsoneedto learnto restinHis authorityandrespondtoHim with
trustingobedience,knowingthatobedienceisakeypart of a close relationshipwithJesusChristasour
lordand saviour: “Jesusreplied, “Anyonewho lovesme will obey my teaching.My Father will love
them, andwe will come to them and make our home withthem” (John14:23).
One of the greatestblessingsaboutouridentityinChrististhe grace we’re giveninordertogrow into
the spiritual maturitythattrulyreflectsournew identity.AsChristianswe needtoconsciouslywork
towardsbuildingandstrengtheningourrelationshipwithGod.We canlearnfrom Philippians1:6,
“…beingconfidentofthis,that he who began a goodwork in youwill carry it on to completionuntil
the day of ChristJesus”.Our livesinlightof ouridentityinChristare filledwithaheavenlyFather,a
large,lovingfamily,andthe understandingthatwe are of a reviewedbirthandnow belongto another
kingdomnotof thisearth…butof God.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:
The old has gone, he new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17).