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Who We Are in Christ
Excerpt taken from Are You Being Robbed?: 8 Essential Keys to Reclaim Your God-Given Purpose by Eric B. Eurēn
Who We Are in Christ
Who are you in Christ? I ask many lifelong Christians this question, but often they cannot give an answer. If you are not walking in the identity of Christ, then you will not be able to boldly exercise your authority in Christ to the fullest. Why? Because you are living life under a false identity. Jesus died for us so that we can live in forgiveness, abundance, and victory. These things characterize our new identity in Christ, but if we do not take ownership of them, we will continue to live in ignorance of who we are. Now, even while we are living in the fullness of our new identities in Christ, our lives will still not be perfect on Earth as we experience suffering and pain. Still, our hope is solidified in Christ’s victory over death.
There are fifteen points in Scripture that outline our true identity in Christ. These points describe who Christ says we are in Him, and they are a great blessing with eternal benefits. At first glance, they can seem simple, but the depths of their ramifications are extraordinary. Walking in their truth will give you greater peace and confidence in who you are. Pray and ask God to help you realize them. Take ownership of them because they are yours, and they are true! Finally, walk in the peace and power that comes with your real identity.
Let’s look at the fifteen truths of our identity in Christ declared in Scripture.
- We are known by God.
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19Imagine all the people living on Earth right now suspended in the vastness of space and time. In the midst of it all, you are known by God because you are His. The Greek word used for “knoweth” in the above passage is ginosko, meaning to “know absolutely.”20 God knows your struggles, your dreams, your physical disabilities, your pain, the way you talk, and the motives of your heart. There isn’t anything about you or concerning you that God does not know completely. We are known, cared about, and watched over from the very beginning of our creation. That means that there is not one day that God has not cared for you. You can’t hide from God; He knows who you are and where you are before you do. Our true identity means that the Creator of the universe knows us personally! - We are chosen.Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:30
We have been handpicked by God for salvation even though we do not deserve it. The Greek word used for “predestinate” is proorizo, meaning to “determine in advance and ordain.”21 Our salvation is not accidental. God had always intended it, even before we were created. If you ever question whether or not you are valuable, just remember that you are valuable enough to Him that God chose you to be reconciled back to Him. Even though there is nothing we can ever do that would make us deserving of salvation, the fact remains: our true identity means we are chosen.
- We are reconciled with God.And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Because of the finished work of Jesus Christ, we have free access to God and have been reunited with Him by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. The Greek word used for “reconciliation” is katallasso, meaning “to change mutually, to compound a difference and reconcile.”22 Everything that stood between Him and us is now powerless in our new identity, destroyed by the power of the blood. Our true identity means we are now part of God’s family of brothers and sisters in Christ.
- We are rescued.For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6
We have been rescued from death! The Greek word used for “ransom” is antilutron, meaning “instead of, or substitution for, a redemption price.”23 Jesus paid the ransom for our lives with His own so that sin no longer holds our lives hostage to the consequences of sin, which are eternal death to the body and eternal separation from God. Our true identity means we are no longer people who are being held hostage to death. We should be living a life of gratitude and should be making decisions based on the fact that we have been rescued.
- We have been forgiven.To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made use accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence. Ephesians 1:6-8
Everything that we have ever done that does not follow the character of God has been forgiven. The Greek word used for “forgiveness” is aphesis, meaning “freedom, pardon, deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission.”24 Every sinful action, thought, or spoken word, as well as the good things we did not do though we should have, are forgiven. Knowing we are forgiven by God through Christ means that we can walk in our true identity, free from the shame and guilt of our past.
- We have been redeemed.Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
We can look forward to a rich, meaningful, and purposeful life because all of our debts have been covered. The Greek word used for “redeem” is lutroo, meaning “ransomed, to loosen with a redemption price, redeemed.”25 God’s future plans for us are totally accessible because our redemption is paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ. We now qualify for the total inheritance of God because we are no longer in debt with sin. Our true identity means we are not in bondage in debtor’s prison and destined toward hell anymore but are free to live eternally with Christ Jesus.
- We are justified before God.Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:24-26
Jesus has won our court case by paying all of the penalties for us. The Greek word used for “justified” is dikaioo, meaning “to render, show or regard as innocent, free, justify, be righteous.”26 As a results, we have been acquitted of all of our crimes. God, the ultimate judge, has ruled us innocent because of Christ’s finished work on the cross. In our true identity, we are innocent of all charges before God! - We are bought at a price.What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
We no longer belong to ourselves but to God. The Greek words used here for “bought” and “price” are agorazo and time, meaning “to purchase, to redeem,” and “money paid, valuables, of highest degree, precious, price, or sum.”27 God has redeemed us through the payment of Christ’s blood, which has the highest degree of value. As a result, our old way of life no longer owns us. Our true identity means we are now God’s.
- We are sealed.Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath, anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
God has sealed us and has put His Holy Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. The Greek word used here for “sealed” is sphragizo, meaning “to stamp, with a signet or private mark, for security, or preservation, to seal up.”28 His seal of ownership is placed over us, and He has anointed us for His purposes. The truth of our identity is that God’s mark of ownership over us gives us security in knowing that nothing can steal us from Him and that our souls will be preserved for eternity with Him.
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Eric Euren
Eric Eurēn is the founder of Everlasting Ministries, pastor of Riverside Christian Church in Roseville, California, and was the Senior Associate of the U.S. National Prayer Council. With a background in theoretical physics, he teaches apologetics and eschatology in addition to being a certified chaplain and biblical counselor. He has produced feature films as well as television and web-based shows. Learn more at areyoubeingrobbed.org
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