Why This is important

It is critical that we understand who we are now that we have trusted in Christ for our salvation. When we first believe we are spiritually renewed, regenerated, and are given a whole new identity. Everyone has an understanding of who they are – and how they live is a direct result. If I believe I am a victim and everyone is against me, I will be fearful, untrusting, and skeptical of those around me. If I believe I am the leader of my group of friends, I’ll probably be telling them what to do. Whatever we think we are, we live it out naturally.

When we understand who we are now according to the identity God gives us we bring glory to God in these ways:
  • We experience abundant joy, peace, and love
  • We avoid the destruction of sin, and insecurity
  • We feel accepted, loved, and secure
  • We have confidence
  • We grow in humility as our identity from God is undeserved

understanding identity

When someone trusts in Christ’s work of the cross for their salvation, they are placed “in Christ.”
  • This means that the Father sees us in the same way that He sees His Son, Jesus. We are loved and accepted to the same degree as His Son, and blessed with the spiritual blessings of Christ.
  • From the Father’s perspective we were identified with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection.
  • It is as if our old “sinful self” died with Jesus when He was made to be sin for us, was buried, and our new “selves” were raised with Him.

It is important to understand why and how we get this new identity. To understand this better read this story:  


READ 2 SAMUEL 9

fun facts 

  • Saul was the first king of Israel. He disobeyed God and was to be replaced by David
  • King Saul tried to kill David many times
  • Jonathon was King Saul’s son
  • Even though Saul hated David, Jonathan loved him. In fact, they were best friends
  • Mephibosheth was Jonathan’s son
  • Both Jonathan and King Saul died. David became king
  • In those days, the new king would typically kill off the family of the previous king to prevent anyone from usurping the throne
  • Mephibosheth was crippled, from the line of King Saul, and probably scared of being killed
​So why was Mephibosheth (dead dog) blessed so much by the king? He was “in” Jonathon – identified with him. In the same way, we are in Christ. We don’t deserve to be identified with Him, but have been placed “in Christ” by grace.
READ
ROMANS 6:1-11
GALATIANS 2:20

process it

What is true of Christ in the Father's eyes is true of you.
​How does that make you respond to God?