Identity in Christ
Rhythm: Be with Jesus
Maybe you’ve had the unfortunate dream where you are being pursued by someone or something. In the broken physics of the dreamworld, no matter how hard you try, your pursuer is gaining ground. A few years ago, it seemed everywhere I looked I found Isaiah 43:18-21. It was in devotionals, emails, and even on the lips of my friends. God was pursuing me with the loving truth that my identity was found in Him and not my circumstances.
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20 The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my ch”osen people, 21 the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”
As Christians, our identity is found in Jesus, who saves us, forms us for Himself, and calls us to live our lives for Him.
The past doesn’t define our identity. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." We tend to hold on to our past whether it is our past sins, who we used to be, or what others think of us, but the Lord wants us to look forward to what He is doing in our lives. When we hold on to the things of old, we are not putting our trust in Him. He has chosen us, has made us a new creation, and is sanctifying us. He is active in our lives and doing new things, now we get to live in that freedom and declare His praise.
Our present identity is defined, not in isolation, but with our ever-faithful friend, Jesus. We find this in Colossian 1:9-14. This scripture shows who we are in Christ, we get to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people who live in the light, and we are no longer slaves to sin, because Jesus has purchased our freedom and forgiven us.
To continually find our identity in Christ, we have to acknowledge the battle for what it is. There are competing allegiances, distractions, and desires of the flesh. These enemies can be external but often are the internal lies that we tell ourselves. I want to encourage you to not get caught up in negative self-talk because of circumstances, what others have said, or how they made you feel. Instead focus on the truths that we can easily find in God's Word. As we follow Jesus together, walk in the strength of who you are in Him, in endurance in the path before you, and in patience with each other.
To close, pray Colossians 1:9-14 over yourself, your family, and our church.
“I ask you God to give us complete knowledge of Your will and to give us spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way we live will always honor and please You Lord, and our lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, we will grow as we learn to know You, God better and better. I pray that we will be strengthened with Your glorious power, and you will provide us the endurance and patience we need each day. May we be filled with joy, always thanking You, Father. For You have enabled us to share in the inheritance that belongs to Your people, who live in the light. For You have rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of Your dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Amen."
Written by Kim Wreay
Kim has been a member at The Mount since 2006 and on staff as a ministry admin since 2014. She has two great boys, Tommy and Sammy. Kim leads a women's community group and is part of our biblical counseling team.