As we journey through life, we often find ourselves grappling with questions of identity - who we are, where we belong, and what our purpose is in this world. It can be a confusing and sometimes painful process, but as Christians, we have a source of truth and wisdom that can guide us on this journey - the Word of God. In this post, we want to explore the theme of identity in Christ, drawing inspiration from a beautiful image we discovered online. As we reflect on this image, we’ll also unpack some key scriptures and insights that can help us deepen our understanding of who we are in Christ. The image we found features a quote from Romans 8:35-39, which reads: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This powerful passage reminds us that no matter what we face in this life - whether it be trouble, hardship, or even death itself - we can have confidence that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. This love is not dependent on our circumstances, our achievements, or our failures - it is a steady and unwavering presence in our lives, offering us comfort, strength, and hope. As we look at the image, we see a beautiful and serene depiction of nature - a lush forest, tall trees reaching towards the sky, and a clear stream flowing through the landscape. In the center of the image is a simple cross, reminding us of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and the depth of love that he has for us. Surrounding the cross are a series of statements about our identity in Christ - “Loved,” “Forgiven,” “Chosen,” “Redeemed,” “Holy,” “Victorious,” “New.” Each of these statements represents a truth that we can hold onto as followers of Jesus - truths that shape our identity and give us a sense of purpose and belonging. Let’s take a closer look at each of these statements, and the scriptures that underpin them: - Loved: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1) As children of God, we are deeply loved by our Heavenly Father. This love is not based on our performance or achievements, but on the fact that we belong to him. We can rest in the assurance that we are loved unconditionally, and that nothing can ever change that. - Forgiven: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Ephesians 1:7) Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we have been forgiven of our sins and reconciled to God. We no longer have to carry the burden of guilt and shame - we are free to live in the knowledge that we have been cleansed and made whole. - Chosen: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9) As followers of Jesus, we have been chosen by God to be part of his family, and to play a unique role in his plan for the world. We are not here by accident or coincidence - we have been appointed and anointed for a purpose. - Redeemed: “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14) Through Jesus, we have been redeemed - set free from the power of sin and death, and brought into God’s kingdom. We no longer have to live enslaved to our old patterns of behavior and thought - we can embrace the new life that Christ has given us. - Holy: “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16) As children of God, we are called to live lives that are set apart - lives that reflect the character and nature of our Heavenly Father. This doesn’t mean that we have to be perfect, but it does mean that we are called to pursue holiness and righteousness in all that we do. - Victorious: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57) Through Jesus, we have already won the ultimate victory - the victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. We can live in the knowledge that we are more than conquerors, and that nothing can ultimately defeat us. - New: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Through Jesus, we have been made new - our old lives have been replaced with new ones, infused with the life of the Spirit. We no longer have to be defined by our past mistakes or struggles - we can embrace the newness of life that Christ has given us. As we reflect on these truths, we can find a sense of security, purpose, and belonging in our identity in Christ. We don’t have to feel lost or uncertain - we can anchor ourselves in the unchanging love and truth of our Heavenly Father. So as we go through our day-to-day lives, let’s keep these statements of identity in Christ at the forefront of our minds. Let’s remind ourselves who we are, and whose we are - and let’s live out that identity in all that we do.
