𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀: 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁
In our lives, we often find ourselves defining our identity through various aspects such as family, work, hobbies, and sometimes even through addictions or past mistakes. These elements can shape how we see ourselves and how we believe others perceive us. However, as Christians, we are called to place our identity in Christ, who offers us a new identity through His ultimate sacrifice.
𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀
𝟭. 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆: Many of us define ourselves by our roles within our families—mother, father, daughter, son, etc. While family is important and cherished, it can become a limiting or defining factor of our identity.
𝟮. 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸: Our careers often become a major part of who we think we are. Titles, achievements, and professional recognition can consume our sense of self-worth.
𝟯. 𝗛𝗼𝗯𝗯𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀: What we enjoy and excel at can sometimes overshadow other aspects of our identity. Whether it's sports, arts, or other passions, these activities can define us.
𝟰. 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀: Many struggle with addictions or are haunted by their past mistakes. These burdens can feel like chains, trapping us in a false identity that focuses on failure and guilt.
𝗔 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁
As believers, our true identity is found in Christ. His sacrifice on the cross redefines who we are, freeing us from the bondage of our past and the false identities we create.
𝟭. 𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱
Through Christ, we are adopted into God's family. This new relationship is foundational to our identity.
• "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God"* (John 1:12, ESV).
𝟮. 𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
In Christ, we are made new, leaving behind the old self defined by sin and failure.
• "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come"* (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV).
𝟯. 𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻
Our identity is not defined by our past mistakes, but by the redemption we receive through Jesus.
• "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace"* (Ephesians 1:7, ESV).
𝟰. 𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱
God's love for us is unconditional and everlasting, defining our worth and identity.
• "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me"* (Galatians 2:20, ESV).
𝟱. 𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀
In Christ, we have victory over sin and death, and we are empowered to live a life that reflects our true identity.
• "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ"* (1 Corinthians 15:57, ESV).
𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲
If you haven't yet given your life to Christ and accepted this new identity, now is the perfect time. Jesus is inviting you to step out of your old life and embrace the new identity He offers.
If you feel led to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can do it today, right now, wherever you're at, you can pray this prayer:
"𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴, 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥. 𝘐 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶. 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘯."
If you have given your life to Christ today, please let us know. Send us a message or comment below. We'd love to celebrate with you, help you in your journey, and assist with getting you connected with a great local church.
Embracing this new identity in Christ transforms our lives, freeing us from the past and giving us a future filled with hope, love, and purpose.