Identity in Christ

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, the world tries to tell me who I am every day. The advertisements, the social media, the voices in my own head. They have a thousand opinions about my identity, and most of them are lies. Tonight, I want to remember what is true.

Saint Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5, therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here. A new creation, that is what I am, Lord. Not just an improved version of my old self, new, made new, made by you.

Let me speak the truth over myself tonight, out loud if I can, quietly if I must, but really with my whole heart.

I am a child of God. John chapter one, verse 12. To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

I am chosen. Ephesians one, verse four. He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Before the world existed, you knew me and chose me.

I am loved. First John four, verse 10. This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. The love is not something I earned, it is something you gave.

I am forgiven. First John one, verse nine. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. The slate is clean, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. Bought back, paid for, owned by you now.

I am free. John eight, verse 36. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Not partially free, free indeed.

I am a saint. First Corinthians one, verse two. To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people. Holy people, that is who I am, even when I do not feel holy.

I am a temple of the Holy Spirit. First Corinthians six, verse 19. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You live in me. My body is sacred space.

I am a priest. First Peter two, verse nine. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession. Not just sitting in pews: a priest mediating your love to the world.

I am more than a conqueror. Romans eight, verse 37. No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Whatever I am facing tomorrow, I am more than equal to it through Christ.

I am seated with Christ in heavenly places. Ephesians two, verse six. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, already seated, already there in some real spiritual sense.

I am a citizen of heaven. Philippians three, verse 20. But our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. This world is not my home. I am passing through.

I am the salt of the earth, the light of the world. Matthew five. I have flavor and brightness to offer because you are in me.

I am a friend of God. John 15, verse 15. I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends. For everything that I learned from my Father, I have made known to you. Friend of the Lord of the universe.

I am known. Psalm 139. You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You know me better than I know myself.

I am held. Isaiah 43. Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name. You are mine. I am yours by name, personally.

Lord, when I wake up tomorrow, the world will be ready with its lies. Before I check my phone, before I look in the mirror, before I let any other voice in, let me speak this truth over myself again. I am yours. That is who I am. The lies will not have the last word. You will.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.