Who You Are In Christ

By Michael Christian

Your identity determines your destiny! Here's why I say that. Your opinion of who you are determines which opportunities you accept and which you turn away from. Some people's identity statements are: "Nobody loves me." "I can't do that." "I'm such a failure." "My parents were poor, so I guess I will be too." "I'm not as smart/good looking/cool as everyone else." "What I do is not important." Statements like these hold you back from where God wants to take you.

But if you say consistently about yourself what God says about you, you grow spiritually and your life changes dramatically. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." "I am the workmanship of God." "I am blessed with every spiritual blessing." "I am the righteousness of God in Christ." "I am anointed, equipped, and empowered to succeed in life." You are made in the image and likeness of God. He has never been a failure, or even mediocre. Neither are you!

There are five fundamental building blocks to your identity in Christ.

You are ACCEPTED and LOVED in Christ.
You are NEW in Christ, and old things have passed away.
You are SECURE in Christ and assured of your salvation.
You are ABLE in Christ, empowered and equipped by the Holy Spirit to do all things.
You are NEEDED and IMPORTANT in Christ to do His work on the earth.

The following short videos deal with each of these in turn. Each video is followed by a confession of who we are in Jesus. The most powerful way to revolutionize our self-concept is to speak aloud what God's Word says about us. When our heart hears our mouth speaking positive, God-inspired Words, something happens inside us. Our spirit is strengthened, and our inner man or woman is released to be what God called us to be. Sometimes we have to confess these truths over and over to get them into our hearts, as the Word of God must tear down and replace the negative words spoken over us by others. So, if you have to say it a million times to take hold of the truth, do it. You'll never be the same.

1. I AM ACCEPTED IN CHRIST!

CONFESSION: I am so loved by Jesus Christ that He left heaven, came to earth, and died to reconcile me to the Father. I am now fully accepted and loved by God. He has blessed me with every blessing, declared me holy and without fault, made me a part of His family as His own Son or Daughter, and poured out His grace upon me without measure. Nothing can ever separate me from His love. (Ephesians 1:3–7, Romans 8:38–39)

2. I AM NEW IN CHRIST!

CONFESSION: I am born again of God. The Father’s spiritual DNA has been transferred to my heart. I have been made new. Old things have passed away and all things have been made new. I am the workmanship of God. I have a new heart and a new spirit. God’s Spirit lives in me, and divine seeds of greatness are stirring in my heart. (John 3:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 36:26–27, Ephesians 2:8–10)

3. I AM SECURE IN CHRIST!

CONFESSION: Jesus took away my sin and guilt and gave me the free gift of His righteousness. I am the righteousness of God in Christ. In God’s eyes I have been declared innocent of all transgression. I have right standing with God through Jesus Christ and am an heir of God’s choicest blessings. There is no condemnation to me in Christ Jesus. He will never reject me or cast me out of His kingdom. (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 3:21–22, Romans 8:1 (Wuest), Romans 5:1–2, John 6:37)

4. I AM ABLE IN CHRIST!

CONFESSION: The Lord will never leave me nor forsake me. He is with me always. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. The Holy Spirit is my Helper. He lives in me and fills me with wisdom to do all things and find creative solutions to tough problems. I walk in the fruit and the gifts of the Spirit. I am anointed, equipped, and empowered to succeed in life. (Philippians 4:13, Hebrews 13:5–6, Matthew 28:20, John 14:16–17, 1 John 2:27)

5. I AM NEEDED IN CHRIST!

CONFESSION: I am a member of the Body of Christ, the Church, sent into the world to preach the Gospel to every creature and to make disciples. God has given me spiritual gifts through which I am a blessing to the world and to the Church, as a witness of Christ, a servant, a teacher, an encourager, a giver, a leader, or one who shows mercy. As a member of Christ’s body, I will do my part so that the Church is healthy and growing and full of love. (Ephesians 4:16, Romans 12:6–8)

Click here for a list of powerful Scriptural thoughts that will build you up in Christ.