CCBC

Who am I? – 14 October 2018

Two weeks ago, at our evening service, I felt led to speak on identity and who we are in Christ. I believe this is a fundamental issue for us all to grapple with and so have summarised some of the talk below. I pray that it is of real comfort and encouragement to you.

We live in a world dominated and yet completely confused by issues of identity. Many attribute their outward appearance as a significant component of their identity. Our modern ‘celebrity culture’ and social media pressures, often lead people to try and ‘make themselves be something or someone’, that they’re simply not.

Through various circumstances in my life, I’ve met numerous people who really struggle with their identity, leading to decreased self-worth, insecurity, anxiety and forms of depression. In fact, distortion of identity can be an evil tactic used by the devil – e.g. in Matthew 4 ‘The temptation of Jesus’ he questions, “If you are the Son of God…” before the first 2 temptations, and the third temptation is for Jesus to even forsake His identity. However, Jesus stands resolute, brilliantly quoting Scripture – a great tool that we can use in times of trial.

The amazing message of the Gospel is that through faith in Jesus and His completed work on the cross, our lives are now “hidden in Christ” (Colossians 3:3), and, therefore, our identity is ‘in Christ’. Dr Neil Anderson summarises over 30 Scriptural truths about our new identities and positions ‘in Christ’. These can be classified into 3 amazing groups: I’m Accepted, I’m Secure and I’m Significant.

I pray that you fully grasp your true identity in Christ – adopted into His family as a son or daughter of the living God (John 1:12, Ephesians 1:5).

You are uniquely made and unconditionally loved by your Heavenly Father.

David