Renew, Revive, Refresh seems to be the mantra as we ring in the new year.
I am so sorry. I get it. I’ve found unless I make put my energy fully into focusing on God, my efforts are futile. I’m not saying you haven’t involved God, but sometimes we miss how it works. Or maybe we didn’t learn the habit of abiding in Christ. As believers in Christ, it drills down to not only whose we are but also whether or not we believe what God says about us.
We must understand our identity in Christ (see chart below), this understanding absolutely essential to living the victorious Christian life. No matter what comes our way, in Christ we are secure. Our mistakes should not define us. God doesn’t hold our sins, mistakes, or missteps against us. The real me is in my identity in Christ. Once we know what God says about us and believe it to be the truth, everything about how we view God and ourselves changes.
I am Sheryl Giesbrecht. I am a woman, wife, mother, daughter, employee, writer, speaker, friend, mentor, runner. These titles describe things I do and relationships I have but they do not describe who I really am. I am a saint who sometimes sins. I am adopted into God’s family. I am a child of God. If we know who we are in Christ, we realize the victory has already been won. The battle is over, but we must claim the victory we have in Christ, our victor. Each of us must know our identity, that is, who we are in Christ.
Who am I in Christ? I am accepted. I am God’s child. (John 1:12) I am Christ’s friend. (John 15:15) I have been justified. (Rom. 5:1) I am united with the Lord and I am one spirit with Him. (I Cor. 6:17) I am secure. I am free forever from condemnation.(Rom. 8:1,2)I am assured that all things work together for good. (Rom. 8:28) I am a citizen of heaven. (Phil 3:20) I can find grace and mercy in time of need. (Heb. 4:16) I am significant. I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life. (John 15:1,5)I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. (John 15:16)I am God’s temple. (I Cor. 3:16)I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13) (From Who I Am in Christ by Dr. Neil T. Anderson, Bondage Breaker.)
Here’s my own version of an In Christ I Am list:
In Christ
I Am Loved…
I am forgiven of all my sins.
“Love covers a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8
I am loved for all eternity.
“I have loved you with an everlasting
love, I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”Jer. 31:3
I am surrounded by God’s love.
“The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the (wo)man who trusts in Him.” Psalm 32:10
I can love myself.
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Lev. 19:18
I am able to love others.
“Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God.” I John 4:7-10
I Am Safe…
I am declared not guilty.
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
I am secure in Christ’s love.
“May those who love you be secure.” Ps. 122:6
I am protected by God.
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25
I am not afraid.
“There is no fear in love because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” I John 4:18
I am free from Satan’s harm.
“We know that anyone born of
God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.” I John 5:18
I am defended by God.
“ The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10
I Am Important…
I am God’s masterpiece.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Ephesians 2:10
God has a meaningful purpose for my life.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
I am fulfilling God’s plan.
“The Lord’s purpose prevails.” Proverbs 19:21b
I am part of God’s eternal purpose.
“…according to His eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eph. 3:11
I am free and to approach God in confidence.
“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom confidence.” Eph. 3:12
God is working in my life to accomplish His will.
“for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Phil 2:13
Dear Heavenly Father, help my friends understand their identity in Christ. Help them believe the truth of what you say about them. Let them be transformed through truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen
It’s a process isn’t it? And we are on this journey together…if you would like to join us in the
Freedom In Christ Discipleship Course beginning Tuesday January 29, 2019 at Canyon Hills Assembly, we would love to have you! Click the link here to register:
http://bakersfield.canyonhills.com/events/freedom-in-christ-discipleship-course/
