Who are you? A Biblical understanding of your identity in Christ

Who are you?

I was recently asked this question, “Who are the two most important people who ever lived?” As a believer, the most important person to ever live is Jesus. But who would be second? Your answer to that question reveals your world view and a little about your identity.

Your identity reveals what you value. When the perception of who we are is threatened we freak out, which leads to anger, anxiety, stress, and depression. For example – fill in the blank:

I am ________________ (fill in the blank) a jock, pretty, fat, skinny, single, hard worker, lazy, committed husband, wife, a strict parent, ethnic race, or rich and poor. Your identity is placed on your appearance. And when you appearance is changed (you gain weight, you lose weight, you are fired, you win the lottery, your kids are out of control) you “lose” your identity.

However the Bible tells us that, as Christians, our identity is wrapped up in Jesus. On the cross rest our identity. Our circumstances will change. Our identity will be threatened. People will let us down.  God’s love stands firm and will never change.

A beautiful picture of our identity and the church is found in 1 Peter 2:9-10.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

What is your identity as a believer? According to Peter you are

Chosen

A Royal Priesthood

A Holy Nation

A People for His own Possession

Called out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light

Have received Mercy

How sweet is that! This is true of every Christian ---- Forever!!! That is grace, sweet grace that God gives us. Putting our identity in worldly things or going through an identity crisis will often lead to anger, frustration, stress, anxiety, and depression. Why? Because this is not our home! We are aliens just passing through. Live as Jesus really sees you – redeemed, loved, chosen, forgiven, and free! This is a Biblical view of your identity in Christ!