One of the greatest questions any of us must answer is the question of identity.
“Who am I?”
The answer to this fundamental question forms the basis from which we live our lives.
If we don’t know how to answer this question, then the world, the devil, and our own flesh will try to answer it for us.
The problem is their answers to this question are not based on truth.
We are seeing these lies run rampant in society today as people are more confused than ever about who they are (even questioning basic biological evidence).
First and foremost, your foundational identity as a human being is that you are made in the image of God. You are His creation, and He is your Creator.
This then raises the question – do you know Him? Do you have a personal relationship with Him? (If you are not yet a Christian, I encourage you to check out this wonderful tract that shares how you can have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, and then come back to this post!)
For the Christian, knowing God as your Creator and Savior is just he beginning of who you are in Him.
Sadly, many Christians continue to struggle with their identity, because they have not fully received their new identity in Christ.
As author Neil Anderson says,
“The major strategy of Satan is to distort the character of God and the truth of who we are. He can’t change God and he can’t do anything to change our identity and position in Christ. If, however, he can get us to believe a lie, we will live as though our identity in Christ isn’t true.”
The Bible contains a treasure trove of identity truths for the believer. But we must receive the treasure before we can experience the wealth of benefits it offers.
So, what does the Bible say about who we are in Christ?
I love the way Dr. Neil Anderson divides our identity in Christ into 3 major sections (see printable below, and make sure to subscribe for free access to this and many other printables!): I am Accepted; I am Secure; I am Significant.
Each of these satisfies the deepest needs of every human being: The need to be accepted (or loved), the need to feel secure in that love, and the need to feel significant. These are the needs that God created within us, knowing that only He can fulfill them.
As you read through the additional identity truths and Scriptures, you may notice that some of them don’t feel true. The wonderful thing about truth, however, is that it is not based on feelings, it is based on fact.
As Anderson says, “The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity.”
For example, perhaps you struggle with feelings of guilt or shame over your past, even though you are a Christian. The more you meditate on the identity truths (particularly under the I am Secure section), the more you will experience freedom and victory.
Or perhaps you were rejected as a child or by your spouse or other close friend. Meditate on the I am Accepted section and accompanying Scriptures and let God’s identity truths heal your heart.
Or perhaps you struggle with overeating, not eating enough, drinking too much alcohol, or some other physical addiction. Meditate on God’s truth that you are His temple (from the I am Significant section). Because you are His temple, you no longer identify as an overeater, an anorexic, an alcoholic, etc.
Do this for any area in which you struggle, and find the healing, victorious truths of Christ wash over you and transform your identity!
I hope you will print a copy of these glorious identity truths and keep it in your journal or Bible.
The more you pray over and meditate on these identity truths and depend on the Holy Spirit, the more you will see your life transform.
Remember…
“A Christian is not simply a person who is forgiven and goes to heaven. A Christian, in terms of his or her deepest identity, is a saint, a spiritually born child of God, a divine masterpiece, a child of light, a citizen of heaven.” ~ Neil T Anderson
*For access to the printable above, click here.
