We identify ourselves in many ways. We identify ourselves as Florida Gator or Florida State Seminoles fans. We identify ourselves as blue grass, country or folk music fans. We identify ourselves as Americans. We identify ourselves as Southerners or Northerners. We identify ourselves as Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians or Independents. We identify ourselves as conservatives or liberals. We identify ourselves as alumni of institutions. We identify ourselves from where we grew up (I am a Clintonian having grown up in Clinton, NY). We identify ourselves by our height, weight or age. We identify ourselves with Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks as coffee drinkers. But we who name the name of Christ most importantly must identify ourselves with Christ. You see, identifying ourselves with Christ shows who we are as Christians. But it is much deeper than being with Christ, for we are also in Christ. Because we are in Christ there are some things that have happened and some qualities that have changed in us that are a direct result of this relationship or from us being identified as being in Christ.
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Understanding who we are in Christ is critical to our foundation, to our belief structure and to our behavior pattern.
Our hope for growth, meaning and fulfillment as Christians has to be based on our understanding of who we are in Christ and having our identity in Him.
“In Christ” is an expression that Paul uses frequently in his epistles to speak of our spiritual relationship to Christ. Simply stated, we believed the message of the gospel and we are identified by faith in Christ, which is brought about by the Holy Spirit, the Agent of regeneration and the Giver of the divine birth. This Christ that you and I have identified with was made sin for us and we have been made righteous in Christ. It is God who has imputed unto me the righteousness of Christ, while imputing my sin to the account of Christ.
If you and I do not establish our own understanding of who we are in Christ, someone else will. Ponder that thought for a moment. If you and I do not establish our own understanding of who we are in Christ, someone else will. There are plenty of religious charlatans looking to take advantage of those who do not know who they are in Christ. There are also a whole host of religions that will tell you who you are in Christ. They will speak sincerely and will use verses (out of context) to back up their position. They will usually repeat what someone else has told them. This verse comes to mind when thinking about them Matthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. So children and young adults cannot rely on mom and dad, but have to take ownership of their own understanding of who they are in Christ! Church members cannot rely upon their pastors but must also take ownership of who they are in Christ as believer priests. Wives and husbands cannot rely upon their spouse but likewise must have their own personal understanding of who they are in Christ. We must find our own identity in Him.
You see, religious systems teach folks to pursue meaning in Christ on an external level. The Bible teaches that our relationship with Christ should be on an internal level. Religious systems look to control folks, where the Bible looks to give folks the liberty and freedom they need to pursue their relationship with Christ, finding their identity in Him.
The only equation that works for you and me is to understand who we are in Christ. Our purpose, our meaning, our happiness and our joy are all found in understanding who we are in Christ.
When things go wrong in our life, our job, marital issues, financial issues or even health issues, we can still be joyous or happy and derive meaning through these heartaches by understanding who we are in Christ because God has promised to take each step of life with us according to Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Included in His walk with us are not only the mountaintop experiences, but also the lowest valleys. He has promised to sustain us and give us unmistakable peace and joy as we journey with Him through these incredible low points in our lives.
When we realize that it is only in Christ that we are able to know God and understand our identity in Him then we will take the necessary steps to find ourselves in Him!
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Understanding who we are in Christ is critical to our foundation, to our belief structure and to our behavior pattern.
Our hope for growth, meaning and fulfillment as Christians has to be based on our understanding of who we are in Christ and having our identity in Him.
“In Christ” is an expression that Paul uses frequently in his epistles to speak of our spiritual relationship to Christ. Simply stated, we believed the message of the gospel and we are identified by faith in Christ, which is brought about by the Holy Spirit, the Agent of regeneration and the Giver of the divine birth. This Christ that you and I have identified with was made sin for us and we have been made righteous in Christ. It is God who has imputed unto me the righteousness of Christ, while imputing my sin to the account of Christ.
If you and I do not establish our own understanding of who we are in Christ, someone else will. Ponder that thought for a moment. If you and I do not establish our own understanding of who we are in Christ, someone else will. There are plenty of religious charlatans looking to take advantage of those who do not know who they are in Christ. There are also a whole host of religions that will tell you who you are in Christ. They will speak sincerely and will use verses (out of context) to back up their position. They will usually repeat what someone else has told them. This verse comes to mind when thinking about them Matthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. So children and young adults cannot rely on mom and dad, but have to take ownership of their own understanding of who they are in Christ! Church members cannot rely upon their pastors but must also take ownership of who they are in Christ as believer priests. Wives and husbands cannot rely upon their spouse but likewise must have their own personal understanding of who they are in Christ. We must find our own identity in Him.
You see, religious systems teach folks to pursue meaning in Christ on an external level. The Bible teaches that our relationship with Christ should be on an internal level. Religious systems look to control folks, where the Bible looks to give folks the liberty and freedom they need to pursue their relationship with Christ, finding their identity in Him.
The only equation that works for you and me is to understand who we are in Christ. Our purpose, our meaning, our happiness and our joy are all found in understanding who we are in Christ.
When things go wrong in our life, our job, marital issues, financial issues or even health issues, we can still be joyous or happy and derive meaning through these heartaches by understanding who we are in Christ because God has promised to take each step of life with us according to Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Included in His walk with us are not only the mountaintop experiences, but also the lowest valleys. He has promised to sustain us and give us unmistakable peace and joy as we journey with Him through these incredible low points in our lives.
When we realize that it is only in Christ that we are able to know God and understand our identity in Him then we will take the necessary steps to find ourselves in Him!
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