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Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Who I Am in Christ



 

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…

—Ephesians 1:1-2

 

In the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul addresses the Christians in Ephesus and reveals their real value in Jesus Christ. Read Ephesians 1:1-14. These verses reveal the heart of your identity in Christ. 

 

Do you believe what these verses declare about you? Or do you measure your sense of self-worth on what others think and how they treat you? Does your emotional stability depend on the circumstances around you? Do you allow your past to define who you are? 

 

There were times I based my identity on my circumstances or who others declared I was instead of who Jesus said I was. Those were not times of freedom and victory. They were times of bondage and defeat.

 

To know our identity in Christ is essential to walk in the freedom of complete trust in God. We must know who He is and what He has freely given us in Jesus. Only when we know our worth in Christ can we stand strong and walk in the victory He has already won for us. 

 

Knowing who we are in Christ and that we eternally belong to God are essential for His grace to be fully realized in our lives.

 

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14, NKJV). 

 

As children of God, our inheritance in Christ is eternal, secure, and unshakeable. His work on our behalf was finished on the Cross, and it was perfect. The Holy Spirit seals us with His promise. He guarantees who we are to God—that we have been made righteous by the blood of Christ. What Christ has accomplished for you is complete. He has taken the sinful nature of who you were and given you His righteousness—His identity. 

 

God chose you. You were God’s will. He made you His choice before He created the world. He chose you because He loved you—not because of any personal attribute or thing you do. Because of Jesus, you are holy (set apart) and blameless (with nothing held against you). You are accepted by God and have received His grace. You are the handiwork of His grace and love. You have full rights as a member of God’s family. (Ephesians 1:4-6).

 

You have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. God has blessed you with everything for your spirit, soul, and body. His overflowing blessings are yours (Ephesians 1:3). 

 

You are redeemed in Jesus. You are forgiven and healed by His blood (1 Peter 2:24) His righteousness is yours (2 Corinthians 5:21). He counts no sin against you. Your sins are all forgiven by His grace. They are paid in full (Ephesians 1:7).

 

God’s grace abounds toward you. He lavishes you with love (Ephesians 1:7b-8a).

 

You have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) You have received God’s wisdom and understanding. He speaks to you, and you are able to hear Him (Ephesians 1:8b-10).

 

You have a wonderful inheritance in Christ. Since you know God chose you, you are confident that your life will work out according to His will (Ephesians 1:11).

 

You are sealed with the Holy Spirit. He guarantees who you are in Christ and that you belong to God (Galatians 3:1-5, Ephesians 1:13-14).

 

My friend, these are truths about who you are in Christ. They call out for you to believe and respond to what they say about you. Know who you are in Christ, and choose to live in that freedom. The circumstances of your life may not be perfect. Your relationships may not be perfect. But you will be at peace when you believe in your heart who Christ says you are.

 

 

© 2021 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com/2021/06/who-i-am-in-christ.html

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