Text: 2 Cor 5:17, Eph 1:4-5, Rom 8:17 Date: 1/9/24
Introduction
One of the most important revelations in life is to know your identity- who you are. An even greater revelation is to know your identity in Christ. Knowing who you are in Christ will change the way you live and prevent you from living below your rights and privileges in Christ.
Identity is the set of qualities, beliefs, behaviour, personality traits, appearance and expressions that characterise a person. Every human being is made in the image of God and made up of three parts-spirit, soul and body. Identity defines who you are.
Identity is shaped by memories, experiences, relationships and values. When you give your life to Jesus, you take on a new identity- a believer’s identity.
The month of September 2024 is my month of remembering my identity (2 Cor 5:17), Eph 1:4-5 and Rom 8:17).
Characteristics of a believer’s identity
Child of God: I am a child of God, chosen and adopted into His family through His love and grace.
Eph 1: 4-5 – For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—(NIV)
I am entitled to all God’s promises and blessings. Rom 8:17- And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (KJV)
I am not an ordinary person. I am a King and Priest called to reign on earth. Rev 5:10- And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (KJV)
Believer: I am a believer and transformed into a new creature through my relationships with Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 5: 17- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)
My old self characterised by sin and bondage is dead. I am a new creature. I now belong to the family of God. No negative family inheritance can affect me again. Jesus is my Lord and saviour. He is the lord of my life. I follow Him. I do not follow the pattern or standards of this world. Rom 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV)
Ambassador: I am an ambassador for Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5: 20- Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. (KJV)).
I represent God on earth. I connect people to God’s love and grace. I fight for a good society patterned after God’s word. I will go to heaven after my sojourn on earth.
Winner: I am a winner (Rom 8:37- Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.(KJV).
I will always win. No matter the challenges or hardships that I face, I know that the ultimate result is victory. I am not a victim. I have the hope that at the end, I will be victorious.
Identity as a Christian youth
As Christian youth, your identity should be rooted in being new creations in Christ. Your Christian identity should affect your belief and behaviour. You are chosen and set apart. You are ambassadors for Christ. You are a salt and light of the world. Youth for Christ is different from worldly youth. Do not conform to the standards of the world. Your steeze should be different. Your dressing and style should be different.
Every young person faces three challenges in life:
Career
Life Partner
Future
The way a Christian youth navigates these challenges should be different from a worldly youth. Youth is a time of strength, energy, passion and potential. Do not waste your youth. Avoid had I known.
Serve the Lord in the days of your youth
Eccl 12:1 -Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”— (NIV)
Develop yourself and do not let anyone despise your youth
1 Tim 4:12 -Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (NIV)
Challenge
Are you a child of God? Are you a believer? Are you an ambassador? Are you a winner? Are you enjoying all the rights and privileges of your identity?
Conclusion
Identity is very important in the life of a person. Knowing your identity will affect your way of life, beliefs and behaviour. If you have given your life to Jesus, you are a child of God, believer, ambassador for Christ and a winner. Live your life to the full as a believer. For the Christian youth, do not waste your strength, energy, passion and potential.
In the month of September, I will constantly remember my identity as a child of God, believer, ambassador and winner. I challenge you to do the same this month. God will be glorified, and you will be blessed in Jesus name.
Prayer Points
Father, thank you for making me a new creation in Christ.
Almighty God, help me to fully embrace my identity as a believer.
I pray for the manifestations of God’s blessings in every area of my life.
I pray for the grace to live out my identity as a King and Priest.
I pray for freedom from any negative family inheritance.
I ask for boldness and wisdom to represent God faithfully as a true ambassador.
Almighty God, help me to constantly remember my identity.