Is Your Identity in Christ or in Your Body?
Who are you and what defines you? What is your identity? That’s a question many people struggle to answer.
Too often, people base their identities on what they do (from their jobs to their roles in relationships), defining themselves by those pursuits. But by doing so, they significantly limit their lives. The truth is that God intends for all people to find their identity in Christ.
If you’re a Christian, your identity encompasses all the abundance of being a beloved child of God. God wants your identity to be in who you are in Christ, not to be in how your body looks or what others think about your body.
There’s ads that appear in our local papers as well as on social media daily. I came across one the other day that read; “A New You” by having a procedure done to reshape your neck or to trim some fat from your waist area.
That’s what Satan and the world want you to believe. If who you are – your identity – is wrapped up into the appearance of your body, then you might want to believe that you can indeed become a “new you” by having a facelift or a tummy tuck. This kind of mentality is what has driven so many people towards eating disorders and other unhealthy behaviors. They receive the false message that they don’t measure up in their appearance, which leads to a false self image or identity, which leads to low self worth.
The same could be said if you identity or image is wrapped up in your possessions, your performance or your position at work. You’ll be chasing after more things, acclamations and prestige.
You Creator wants you to know and believe otherwise. God wants you to embrace your true identity in Christ.
If you’ve accepted Jesus into your heart, scripture reminds us that you are a new creation –
“Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation;the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
You are one of God’s kids. (John 1:12) You are loved by God. (John 3:16) You are a member of Christ’s body. (1 Corinthians 12:27) You can not be separated from the love of God. (Romans 8:35-39) You are one of God’s saints. (Ephesians 1:1) You are complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10) You are God’s workmanship! (Ephesians 2:10)
If you haven’t already done so, will you embrace these truths in your mind and deep in your heart?
When your identity is truly in Christ, it won’t be in your body. Your body will not define who you are. Who you are in Christ will define you. Before you accepted Christ, you may well have defined yourself by other measures. Now, the only measure that counts is what God says about you – who you are in Christ. When you really get this, then you won’t be chasing after the latest and best surgery to alter your body – the body God gave you and has called you to live through to serve in His Kingdom.
Help put these body sculpting, “Be a New You” medical practices out of service by embracing your true worth, your identity in Christ!
In Christ, I am:
God’s child, for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever. (1 Peter 1:23).
Forgiven of all my sins and washed in the blood (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:14, Colossians 1:14, 1 John 2:12, 1 John 1:9)
A New Creature (2 Corinthians 5:17) No longer focused on what the world considers “pretty”.
The Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom. (Colossians 1:13)
Redeemed from the curse of the law (1 Peter 1:18,19 Galatians 3:13)
A Saint (Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Philippians 1:1)
Blessed (Deuteronomy 28:1-14, Galatians 3:9)
Holy and without blame before Him in love. (1 Peter 1:1, Ephesians 1:4)
Victorious (Revelation 21:7)
Set Free (John 8:31-33)
Strong in the Lord. (Ephesians 6:10)
Dead to sin (Romans 6:2,11; 1 Peter 2:24)
More than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)
Joint heir with Christ (Romans 8:17)
Complete in Him. (Colossians 2:10) Lacking NOTHING.
Crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)
Alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5)
Reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18)
Free from Condemnation (Romans 8:1)
Firmly rooted, built up, established in the faith and overflowing with gratitude. (Colossians 2:7)
Born of God, and the evil one does not touch me. (1 John 5:18)
The Righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24)
Chosen (1 Thessalonians 1:4; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 2:9)
The Apple of My Father’s Eye (Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalm 17:8)
Healed by the stripes of Jesus. (1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:6)
Being changed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18; Philiippians 1:6)
Raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places. (Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:6)
Beloved of God (Colossians 3:12; Romans 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:4)
Established to the end (Colossians 1:8)
One in Christ (John 17:21-23)
