True Identity- Part Two

Welcome to Part Two of this series on True Identity. In Part One we set the stage for the Word being the plumb line of Truth that we adhere to in discovering our true identity as Believers in Jesus Christ. Let’s look at two more scriptures that are of paramount importance.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!â€�📷

I love that this says “anyone�.  God does not show favoritism {Romans 2:11}, His love extends to everyone, even to those who choose to reject Him. So what does 2 Corinthians 5:17 have to do with our identity? Everything.

The moment we receive Jesus into our hearts/lives we are born again. This simply means what 2 Corinthians says- the OLD is gone and the NEW comes. Physically? Not usually. Hahaha. But our spirit man is born again, into a NEW Kingdom, God’s Kingdom.

Immediately upon receiving Christ we are a NEW creation and our spirit man is given EVERYTHING we need to live a life that pleases God {Ephesians 1:3}. Our old ways of living are done away with but it’s up to us to allow this NEW man to manifest through our soul/body.

How do we do this? We need a shift to happen in our hearts and minds. If we truly BELIEVE we are a NEW creation {like the Word says!} we will then set our hearts and minds on things above {Colossians 3:2} instead of worrying about the things we used to care so much about.

Often we allow our minds to wander not controlling where they wander to. The Bible talks about this and says, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.â€� {Philippians 4:8}. This is key. What we think about matters. We shift our hearts and minds by thinking on what God’s Word says to be true. WE are a NEW creation!

There are many days that my mind likes to wander, and as a woman it’s even worse! I can be thinking about anything at any time! This is an area of my life that I’ve had to constantly work on, calling my mind to attention and focusing it on God. How do I do this? Through prayer, worship or simply by reading the Word, even reading the Bible out loud helps. These are just some of the ways to see shift take place in our hearts and minds.

It really takes self-control and discipline but what I know is this- when we come to understand all that Jesus has done for us we can’t help but want to see His life, hope and love manifest in and through us.

We are a NEW creation, the OLD is GONE and the NEW has come! We need to stop getting hung up on our weaknesses, shortcomings and sin, and instead focus on Him. Hebrews 12:1b-2a says this, “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverancethe race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…�

The NEW has more for us than the old ever did. We can walk in healing, freedom, hope and love. We can walk in the incredible gifts of the spirit- words of knowledge, healing the sick, raising the dead and more. The NEW is the way to go, my friends. He has made us NEW; let’s live like it!

The last scripture we’re going to talk about in this series on identity is 1 Peter 2:9. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.â€�📷

There is SO much packed into this one verse and it’s beautiful. Even if we only realized our identity as being one who has been “called� OUT of darkness and INTO “wonderful light� that would be enough. We need to understand that our identity is no longer found in the darkness of our souls or the choices we once made but is now found in the glorious light of God- being “chosen� by Him and now called royalty. Amazing.

There’s something so very profound and intimate about this verse. Not only are we called “chosen� but we are also identified as those “belonging to God�. As ones who have been made in the image of our Creator, through His Son Jesus, we have been reconciled to Father God in such a way our entire identity shifts from darkness to light.

Not only this but our identity goes from a focus on how we see ourselves, to seeing ourselves as He sees- Kingdom royalty, called to declare His praises and to display the glory of His majesty {Isaiah 61}.

Our true identity is not found in our sexuality, the clothes we wear, the job we have or the church we may (or may not) attend. Our identity is solid when it’s linked to our Maker and what He says about us in the Word.

Truth sets us free. When we live from a place of absolute abandonment to the love of God everything changes. Our identity becomes founded upon the Truth of His word (which is irrefutable) and we are then set free from all deception and lies of the past.

Lies paralyze but truth sets us free. Truth has the ability to change the way we think, talk and live, forever.

Let’s be the Church awake to our true identity in Christ- those who are alive and free- full of love and hope because our identity is secure in Him. It’s time for this kind of generation to rise up- the mature sons & daughters of the King. It’s time we release God’s Kingdom in our personal and professional lives. Knowing WHO we are in Him will propel us forward and cause us to live life to the full {John 10:10} in ways we never dreamt possible!

Jesus, thank You that my identity is secure when it’s rooted in YOU. Thank you that when I trust You and surrender my life to You I am made NEW. Help me to live as one who has been adopted into Your family. Help me to live as one who is unconditionally loved, accepted and called by You to rule and reign. Thank You that You have made me the head and not the tail. I am Yours. May Your Truth about who I am penetrate my heart and set me free; that I may live a life of freedom, hope and love- giving away all You’ve given me. I love You Jesus, amen!

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