3) KNOW YOUR CHRIST IDENTITY

The key to understanding and living the Christian life according to the New Testament model is understanding our identity in Jesus Christ. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defined identity as: “the distinguishing character or personality of an individual.” What are your distinguishing characters or personalities that you were born with? Are you Asian, Caucasian, or African?

As Christians, we were born with an earthly identity, and we were also spiritually born with a Christ identity. Let’s look at what the New Testament teaches about this.

John 1:12-13

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

2 Cor. 5:17 (NKJV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. “

Romans 6:3-4

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Ephesians 4:23-24

“and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Philippians 1:20-21

“as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Colossians 3:3-4

“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Colossians 2:9-10

“For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”

These verses of Scripture teaches that those who are born again are born of God, the old self is dead and buried. Now, ALL things have becomes new. This new self has been created in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. This new life is now filled with Christ, it is Christ’s life, Christ now lives in us and for us to live is Christ. When Jesus said, “you must be born again,” this is what He was referring to. Birth, both physically and spiritually, gives us an identity that can never be changed or taken away from us. You were born into this world bearing your national, physical identity. It doesn’t matter how you dress or what accent you speak with; you will forever have those physical traits. Likewise in the spiritual aspect, you were born again by God into Christ’s family. You are a Christ-person. The fullness of Christ is in you. That is who you are! Though you have a physical identity and a spiritual identity, the Christian life is not a mixture of the old self and the new self.