My Identity in Christ #1: Introduction

The release of this new series and introduction was delayed slightly because the original concept became a bigger project requiring much more extensive research in order to make it feasible. Instead, this series is inspired on an old idea first explored in the writing serial Memory Verses. [Note the original planned date of publication was for March 7 instead of the now April 26 release]

The entire list of verses are split into three groupings, which collectively form the index for this series:

1. I am Accepted
   1. I am a child of God (John 1:12)
   2. I am Jesus’ chosen friend (John 15:15)
   3. I am holy and accepted by God. (Romans 5:1)
   4. I am united to the Lord and am one in spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17)
   5. I have been bought by with a price. I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19,20)
   6. I am a part of Christ’s Body, part of His family (1 Corinthians 12:27)
   7. I am a saint, a holy one (Ephesians 1:1)
   8. I have been adopted as God’s child (Ephesians 1:5)
   9. I have been bought back (redeemed) and forgiven of all my sins (Colossians 1:14)
   10. I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)
2. I am Secure
   1. I am free forever from punishment (Romans 8:1,2)
   2. I am sure all things work together for good (Romans 8:28)
   3. I am free from any condemning charges against me (Romans 8:31)
   4. I cannot be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:35)
   5. I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
   6. I am sure that the good work that God has started in me will be finished (Philippians 1:6)
   7. I am a citizen of heaven with the rest of God’s family (Ephesians 2:19)
   8. I can find grace and mercy in times of need )Hebrews 4:16)
   9. I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)
3. I am Significant
   1. I am salt and light for everyone around me (Matthew 5:13,14)
   2. I am part of the true vine, joined to Christ and able to produce lots of fruit (John 15:1,5)
   3. I am hand-picked by Jesus to bear fruit (John 15:16)
   4. I am a Spirit-empowered witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
   5. I am a temple where the Holy Spirit lives (1 Corinthians 3:16 – 6:19)
   6. I am at peace with God and He has given me the work of making peace between Himself and and other people (2 Corinthians 5:17)
   7. I am God’s co-worker (2 Corinthians 6:1)
   8. I am seated with Christ in heaven (Ephesians 2:6)
   9. I am God’s building project, His handiwork, created to do His work (Ephesians 2:10)
   10. I am able to do all things though Christ who gives me strength! (Philippians 4:13)

At this point in time, this series could develop into anywhere between three and 29 separate articles. I believe this writing series is something God is preparing me to embark upon. I quite like the ethos that LightFM continuously promoting of themselves – being a positive message of hope to the community. In many ways, this is part what I think God would have be utilise XBOP for – also offering a positive message of hope to believers but anyone really.

Knowing first and foremost that our faith is underpinned by our identity in Christ is super important. This foundational truth to the Christian faith is the firm rock on which we build everything. In the whole paradigm of faith and works, both have to be built on Christ alone. Knowing who He is in our lives and what that means to us on a daily basis should encourage us onwards, striving to know Him more and seek Him in our everyday lives.

In today’s world, western secular society in particular tends to glorify self and promote a sense of self gratification. However, since the Bible teaches us that  we were created to reflect the glory of God, we will find that this self-fulfilment attempt is never lasting. Apart from Him, any objective and pursuit of an identity outside of Christ will only glorify ourselves and be fruitless.

We are called to make fishers of men, discipling people to Christ. In recent times, I recall discussions of discipleship where some participants referred to their own disciples, which may have simply been a looseness in choice of language and terminology, but the point is that believers also need to be careful and disciplined in avoiding their own self-glorification. We make disciples that follow Jesus and the bible, not to follow us. The disciple -making nature of our identity in Christ is part of the balance and challenge – that whilst most of the above verses and statements are self-affirming, the reaction and response in general should be to quickly take the focus off ourselves and instead help others also seek God.