Do you often hear believers talk about identity in Christ and wonder what it means? Wonder no more! Learn what it means to be in Christ and how this powerful revelation can help change your identity to help you reach your goals.
As you may remember from learning to make new habits stick, your personal identity is what you believe to be true about yourself. It’s also a driving force in why we do the things we do. If you want to make lasting changes to your habits, start by changing your identity.
Starting with a vision and taking action towards that vision are some simple steps to begin making those changes, but I have found that an identity rooted in Christ is the foundation and catalyst for all other change. It’s my belief in Christ and who he says I am that allows me to dream big and have the courage to pursue change. It’s His living Word that has the power to transform.
You might be thinking, the whole “in Christ” thing is throwing me off, though. What does that mean?
In it’s simplest form, to be in Christ means to be born again. You become born again when you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and Savior. That he came, died for your sins and was raised from the dead (Romans 10:9). You accept His sacrifice as payment for your own sin.
When you do that, your sinful record is traded with Jesus’s perfect record, and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within you. My favorite illustration is to picture yourself at the foot of the cross with your long list of sin. Every sinful thought, word and action you’ve had written down. When you stand there confessing that Jesus is Lord and died for your sins, Jesus takes your record of sin and gives you his record of sinless perfection.
Every sin on your list, past, present and future, is nailed to the cross. You now carry his record of perfection, and now, when God looks at you, He sees his son Jesus Christ. Yes, he still sees you and your uniqueness, but your imperfections, your sinful nature has been replaced with His son Jesus. It’s like a shield, a covering, and with you He is pleased.
The bible also tells us that when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are adopted into God’s family and kingdom.
John 1:12-13 – Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor human decision, or husband’s will, but born of God.
Galatians 3:26 – So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.
Colossian 1:13 – For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his dear son.
These scripture show that when we put our belief in Christ, a change, a transaction takes place. Something is different about us. Nothing that we can see in the present moment, but a spiritual shift has occurred, and we are no longer the same. The Holy Spirit that resurrected Jesus from the grave, dwells within us now. It is bigger, stronger, and mightier than you alone and it has the power to bring about the positive change you desire.
This understanding makes it far easier for me to look beyond my present circumstances, past failures, my own limitations and believe the vision I take action towards each day–even when I have no evidence of it in my present circumstances. I hope it will for you to.
To Recap Your Identity in Christ
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are now a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), children of God, members of His family, and citizens of His great kingdom. Our identity is no longer what we think of ourselves based on past experience, or what the world says about us, it’s what God says is true about us now that we are His and His spirit lives within us.
Curious to know what God says about you and your health journey? Find out who he says you are and build your faith and identity on His firm foundation.