Knowing Who You Really Are in Christ

Today, I want to talk about the importance of knowing who you really are.From the moment of birth we start trying to answer the questions: Who am I and why am I here? (e.g., Is there purpose in my life?) and I’m not sure most people ever fully answer it.The problem is what you use to identify yourself.Traditionally,1. Personal Characteristics and TraitsPersonality: “I’m introverted, creative, or compassionate.”Skills and Talents: Proficiency in areas like art, athletics, or intellectual pursuits can shape identity (e.g., "I am a writer" or "I am an athlete").Values and Beliefs: “I’m passionate about…”2. Cultural and Ethnic BackgroundEthnicity and Heritage: "I am Nigerian" or "I am Italian-American".Language: “I’m a native Spanish speaker…” The language(s) one speaks can be a strong marker of identity, connecting individuals to their community or diaspora.* Religion and Spirituality:Many people derive identity from their religious or spiritual beliefs (e.g., "I am a Christian," "I am a Buddhist").4. Family and Relationships:Lineage: Some find identity in their family history or legacy.Familial Roles: People often identify as a parent, sibling, or child, with family dynamics playing a significant role (e.g., "I am a mother").5. Occupation and Career: “I’m a sales rep for a northeastern paper company…”6. Social and Political Affiliations:Political Beliefs: People may identify with ideologies or movements, such as liberalism, conservatism, or environmentalism (e.g., "I am a feminist").Nationality: Citizenship or allegiance to a country often plays a role (e.g., "I am American").7. Hobbies and Interests:- Passions, such as gaming, music, or travel, can be central to identity (e.g., "I am a gamer" or "I am an adventurer").8. Nowadays we’re encouraged to identify ourselves by our traumas: “I’m a survivor of childhood abuse…” “I’m a breast cancer survivor,” OR by our victimhood in having a life condition we aren’t responsible for: “I’m bipolar, etc.”9. And the new idea that our entire identity is completely perceptual and fluid, such as Identifying as an animal or a mythical creature. (There’s a huge difference in saying, “I can identify with cats…” Vs “I identify as a cat.”The problem with all of this is that…It’s mostly external to us, just the random factors in our life (e.g., being born male).It may be dependent upon our performance and the acceptance of a social group to maintain this identity. (Nobody gets to be a pilot forever).As a Christian seeking a stable and meaningful identity you need to look no further than the first page of the Bible, the creation narrative.The Bible grounds human identity in a relationship with God, and our God-given role in this world.* Creatures made with special purpose by a loving God Psalm 139:13-14 “Fearfully and wonderfully made”* The Image of God on earth: - Genesis 1:26-27: “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness’… So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”This is God’s settled truth for every human being whether you love him, hate him or refuse to even accept His existence.But there’s more…Jesus takes our identity so much farther than the Genesis account alone.The Gospel declares that our identity can also become rooted in the Work of Christ—it’s our choice and depends upon our response to the finished work of Jesus for us.3. Jesus came to set us free from the bondage we have fallen into, a slavery to Sin and to Satan. If we will accept his gift and follow him as Lord, then we will feel the power of sin broken and the dominion of Satan voided.4. Purchased by blood. “I am redeemed, highly valued and deeply loved with unconditional love.”5. Re-created internally by Christ with the promise of being recreated physically after our death by resurrection into an eternal body.2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”6. Adopted into the family of God. Living forever as his child.7. Restored to dominion in life. With Satan’s rule over me ended I am again established with dominion and control over my own world.8. Authorized to use the name of Jesus to fight Satan and call down the resources I need.9. Provided with unbroken direct access to the Father. I am always connected to Him and welcomed to come before His throne.10. A member of the human family of God, surrounded by sweet people who are also walking in this light. I’m a part of the global body of Christ.11. A temple for the Holy Spirit, filled within by the mind and presence of God himself, led and empowered by the Spirit of God to do the works God has prepared for me.12. My life has a calling and a purpose as I work with my Father to invite humans to return to him and reclaim their high callingEphesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, ...