Identity in Christ
Acts 17:27-28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’
Our identity is in Christ; our families, job, hobbies or ministry may be wonderful and may reflect our identity they may all fail and be lost. In Christ alone is our identity and security.
In this verse, Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” He did not say, “I am the vine, try to be the branches.” In other words, He wants us to realize that we are already the branches. We do not have to struggle to become the branches.
John 15:5“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. What the devil wants to do then is to get you to focus on your condition instead of your position in Christ. The condition you are facing could be financial lack or deteriorating health. The devil wants you to focus on your condition and forget your position — that you are the righteousness of God in Christ and that you are seated with Him in heavenly places at the Father’s right hand.
1. I am God’s child for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23). “…Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever…
2. I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17): Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.
3. I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind (2 Corinthians 4:4): whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
4. I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10). For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. ‘We are God’s master piece…’
5. I am a spirit being alive to God (Romans 6:11;1 Thessalonians 5:23). Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. {we cannot live partially…but fully}
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ps 100:4 {Outer court-inner court-Most Holy} Now…Body-Soul-Spirit= 1 Cor 3:16…?
6. I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). “And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
7. I am a partaker of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-4). as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
8. I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
9. I am called of God to be the voice of His praise (Psalm 66:8; 2 Timothy 1:9). “…who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began…”
10. It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20). I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Ex: Kuwait Currency Note…value never change (we are more than in Christ- Jesus bought with a price…price tag! You are sold out to Christ 1 Cor 6:19-20)
You may be anointed for a level, but not yet appointed to that level. God will transform you into that which He’s appointed you BEFORE you occupy that position. Wait on God’s transformation.
Pastor. Shalom
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