Your New Identity

Today's Truth:



2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"


Friend To Friend


There's a game that I've played many times at conferences and retreats as an icebreaker activity. Each person has the name of a famous or infamous person taped to her back. The women in the room walk around giving each other clues about who they "are." "You always put off worrying until tomorrow." "You had so many children you didn't know what to do." "You were the queen of soul." The point of the game is to figure out your identity. Once you guess correctly, you take a seat.


As I watched the women play that game, I was struck with its similarity to real life. Many times we determine our identity, by what others tell us about ourselves. You are so smart. You are a loser. You are so pretty. You could do anything you set your mind to. You are so ugly. You are so fat. After a while, those messages determine how we see ourselves, whether true or false. It is only a mature person who realizes that just because a person perceives you a certain way, doesn't make that perception true.


One of the greatest blessings of becoming a Christian is receiving a new identity. In the Bible, when God touched and changed a person's life, many times He changed his or her name. He said, "You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow" (Isaiah 62:2). Saul became Paul. Abram became Abraham. Sarai became Sarah. Jacob became Israel. Simon became Peter.

Likewise, when we accept Christ, God gives us a new identity and a new name. If we want to know our true identity, we need only look in the mirror of God's Word to discover it. It may be different from what you've heard others say about you, but which do you think is more accurate? Who do you think has a better perception of who you are, your Creator, or other creatures just like yourself? If you are a Christian today, the following verses describe your new identity.


My Identity in Christ


Matthew 5:13 I am the salt of the earth.


Matthew 5:14 I am the light of the world.


John 1:12 I am a child of God.


John 15:1,5 I am part of the true vine, a channel (branch) of Christ's life.


John 15:15 I am Christ's friend.


John 15:16 I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit.


Romans 8:17 I am a joint-heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him.


I Corinthians 3:16 I am a temple of God. His Spirit dwells in me.


I Corinthians 12:27 I am a member (part) of Christ's body.


2 Corinthians 5:17 I am a new creation.


2 Corinthians 5:18-19 I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation.


Ephesians 1:1 I am a saint.


Ephesians 1:3 I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places.


Ephesians 1:11 I am sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit who has been given as a pledge of my inheritance.


Ephesians 2:10 I am God's workmanship created in Christ to do His work that He planned beforehand that I should do.


Ephesians 4:24 I am righteous and holy.