Your Identity in Jesus Christ

By Jeff Arnette

    Do not forget these words: You are not who people say you are and not even who you feel you are! You are who God says you are!
    Few things in life shape a person like the words used to describe them. I will never forget the first time someone called me a preacher. I almost panicked and was visibly shaken by those words. I will always remember being told that I was a loser and would never amount to anything. Words have a way of changing the way we see ourselves that is both good and bad.
    To make matters worse, we cannot unhear the things that people have said about us, but we can choose to replace those words with what God says about us. As soon as you can, take some time and meditate on these passages. Each one speaks powerfully to your identity in Jesus Christ.
    You are royalty – 1 John 3:1-2. In this passage, we see our new standing given to us in Jesus Christ. You are the Child of God, who has been lavished with all of His love and blessings. Do not ever accept that you are anything less than royalty, meant to rule this life as conquerors (Rom. 8:37).
    You are righteous – 2 Corinthians 5:21. Maybe people do not see you as special, as this great, holy Christian. Perhaps you don’t see yourself as some great Christian. Perhaps you’ve had a long history of being less than Christ-like (join the crowd), but God looks at you and says that you have become His Righteousness. He sees you as special, righteous, and holy.
    You are wonderfully made – Psalm 139:13-16. When God looks at you, He sees you as beautiful and perfect in every way. You do not need to impress anyone with your looks or accomplishments. You are His creation, and that makes you the most important person in this world. Do not let anything take that away from you.
    You are His masterpiece (Eph. 2:10), Heirs to God’s Kingdom (James 2:5), and have been given every Spiritual Blessing in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:3). You have been gifted and empowered by God (1 Peter 4:10-11) so that you lack nothing in this life. You have everything needed to be a great Child of God (2 Peter 1:3-4).
    You have invaluable in Christ, not because of what you have done but because of what Jesus did for you. When it comes to understanding and owning your identity in Christ, the biggest roadblock will be your own feelings. Just remember…
                You are not who people say you are!
                You are not who you feel you are!
                You are who He says you are!

- Jeff Arnette preaches for the Central Haywood church of Christ, Clyde, NC.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://centralhaywoodcoc.com/