Going in Grace

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Welcome to Going in Grace, a podcast where we go beyond simply understanding God's word. We explore how to live it out daily, making a meaningful impact in our lives and the lives of those around us. Let's tune in to this week's episode.

Today's episode is all about understanding the vital importance of finding our identity in Christ. The pitfalls we face when we don't and practical steps to strengthen our identity in Him. I want to start with a personal story. A few years ago, I discovered something about myself that I didn't like. After more than a decade of walking with Christ, I realized I was still associating my identity with the roles I played or the work I did. I tried to convince myself that I was completely settled in my identity in Christ, but the truth was, I didn't even know how to introduce myself without mentioning my work, family, or some other external thing about me. I longed to be so comfortable in my own skin because of who God is to me and who I am in him, that all my roles and so-called accomplishments mattered little. I wasn't there yet.

As I looked ahead to the inevitable seasons of life, loss of loved ones, children leaving home, job changes. I felt I might experience unnecessary or prolonged pain all because my identity was not completely settled in my Creator. I wanted to be certain that my identity was firmly rooted in Christ. If this resonates with you, then you're in the right place. Let's start by considering what identity means in the first place.

According to the dictionary, identity is defined as the distinguishing character or personality of an individual or the condition of being the same with something described. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new. The phrase (timestamp:02:27.565) in Christ appears over 300 times in the New Testament, always referring to a vital union relationship with God. When we are born again, we become a new creation. A crucial aspect of understanding our new identity in Christ is recognizing that it did not occur in the physical realm. 2 Corinthians 5:17 doesn't imply that our physical body completely changes, nor does it refer to our mental or emotional state, what most people consider to be the real them. If you were afraid of spiders before salvation, you are likely still afraid after salvation. Your memories and thoughts remain the same. Yet there's a third part, our spirit man. This is the part that changes and is new after salvation.

James 2:26 says, for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Our spirit is the life-giving part. And when we come to the Lord, we receive a new spirit and are born again. As Jesus mentioned in John 3:5, the rest of the Christian life involves learning in our soulish mental realm, what has taken place in our spirit. One third of our salvation is complete when we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord. Our spirit becomes entirely new, filled with love, joy, peace, and the presence of God. There is no lack or inadequacy in our spirit, but we need to perceive that through studying the word of God. The Bible is filled with examples of individuals who found their identity in God and experienced transformative change.

Let's explore a few. First, you have Moses. Moses initially saw himself as inadequate and unworthy of God's calling. However, through his relationship with God, he discovered his true identity and became a great leader. Exodus 3 through 4 recounts Moses's journey from self-doubt to confidence in God's plan. Gideon. Gideon saw himself as the least in his family and tribe,(timestamp:04:53.815) but God called him a mighty warrior. Judges six tells the story of how Gideon embraced his identity in God and led Israel to victory. There's Paul. Paul's identity was radically transformed from a persecutor of Christians to a passionate apostle of Christ. His letters, such as Ephesians two and Philippians three, reveal how he found his identity in Christ and it encourages others like us to do the same. Victory in the Christian life comes from looking into the word, seeing who we are and what God has done, then beginning to believe it. If we don't have a stable basis for our identity, any spiritual fight or loss can send us into a complete identity crisis.

Here are some practical steps to strengthen our identity in Christ. First, we need to study the Word of God. We need to dive deep into scripture and meditate on verses that affirm our identity in Christ. We need to capture lies and replace them with the truth. We need to identify any false beliefs about ourselves and replace them with the truth of God's Word. We need to speak God's words over ourselves.

We need to regularly declare God's promises over our life. We also need to surround ourselves with supportive community. We need to engage with fellow believers who can encourage us on our faith journey. Without a sound and stable identity in Christ, we are setting ourselves up for a future of confusion and crisis. Consider these scenarios. Who will you be if you no longer have your job, your family, or your abilities? Who are you when you face unexpected changes or losses?

Our enemy, Satan, attempts to steal our identities from us as early as possible. He targets young people because they are less likely to recognize his lies. Many of us were targeted in our youth, but this battle continues throughout life, affecting even our elders. (Timestamp:07:17.163) By building our identity on what cannot change our union with Christ, we can avoid unnecessary struggles. This is so important for our future stability. As we wrap up today's episode, remember that our identity is in Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That's in Hebrews 13:8.

We must fight for our identity by renewing our minds with the word of God. Speak God's word over yourself until they take root deeply within you. I'm going to say that again. Speak God's words over yourself until they take root deeply within you. Thank you for joining me this week. Be sure to share this episode so that we can all stay encouraged as we grow in the knowledge of who we are in Christ. Stay blessed and continue to grow in your identity in Him.

You've been listening to Going in Grace. Be sure to visit us online at brandistover.com.