Identity In Christ Before Relationship
“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” ― Oscar Wilde, De Profundis
I never really knew the importance of finding who I was until I realized who I was not. Recently God has put the word in my forefront “Identity” who am I? Where does my identity lie? Who does he say I am? Why do I have to find my Identity in Christ ?
I realized in many relationships I have been in that I was quick to change my identity based on who I was with at the time and eventually the relationships would fade because I no longer knew myself and I know longer liked myself. It wasn’t their fault it was mine because I wasn’t rooted and didn’t have a strong enough foundation of who I was so therefore I was easily wavered.
In one relationship I became a homebody watching TV shows every single night (I am an extroverted extrovert) so eventually I got stir crazy and the bickering started and we didn’t last much longer after that. In another relationship I became weak and timid because he overpowered me and made me feel fear rather than safety, when in reality I am a very strong woman. In another one I became obsessed with my appearance because of the way he talked about other women’s bodies, and there was this pressure to perform, and there are so many other examples of this.
When God spoke to me this word of identity in Christ, I realized that I needed to form my identity in Christ around who he says I am and not based on people, culture, career, relationships or worldly idea’s of who I am, but I need to become firmly planted in who he says I am before I can build a relationship that I would not just be content in but thrive in.
In Romans 12:2 says “ Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Why is this important for our identity because the patterns of the worlds constantly change, culture is always changing, people are always changing, but God’s word remains constant.
I once went out with this retired pro hockey player and he has just recently retired and because his whole identity was based around the fact he was a “hockey player” as soon as he was retired he was lost, searching for more, and wasn’t able to decipher who he was without this title or position. This is why it is so crucial to build our identity on something firm rather than something that can be easily taken from us.
How do we build our identity in Christ through the word of God?
Through the word of God- James 1:22-24 says “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
The word of God is a mirror who us. We can look at it, read it, meditate on it and learn our identity in Christ . Hebrews 4:12 also says: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword”
We can trust that the word of God is alive and true. We can trust that by looking at it we will be able to form our identity in Christ through him who strengthens us.
So what does the bible say about our identity in Christ? (Here are some verses you can meditate on to understand your identity from a biblical perspective)
Ephesians 1:7 ~ “ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (He calls you Forgiven)
John 15:16 ~ “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you”. (you are Chosen and Appointed)
Romans 6:6~ “ For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” (you are Not a Slave to Sin)
Genesis 1:27 ~ “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (you are Created in the Image of God)
Jeremiah 1:5 ~“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (you are Set Apart, you are Appointed, and He Knows You)
1 Peter 2:9 ~ “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.“ (Chosen, Royal Priesthood, God’s Special Possession)
Romans 8:37~ “ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (You are More Than Conquerers)
Psalm 139:14 ~ “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Fearfully and Wonderfully Made)
Written By Michelle Apples
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