Your New Identity “in Christ”

CARPENTER

ATTORNEY NURSE

PLUMBER

I. Our sense of identity and

where it comes from

A. Others/culture- self-love based on

social status, financialworth and

accomplishment.

2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,

4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—

B. Self- often exaggerated

positively or negatively

C. God

C. God1. I am a sinner

C. God2. I am an new person

“in Christ.” By his power, I can change.

C. God3. I have value as His

creation, in His image, redeemed by

His grace, and given a divine purpose in life.

II. Why is understanding our

(new) identity important

III. The right and wrong way to change your

identity beliefs

WRONG

RIGHT

Old IdentityBeliefs

Results New Identity Beliefs Results

Powerless to change;I’m not perfect!

Continue to sin and feel guilty; defeated

Delivered from sin nature’s power Free from sin’s control

Try to please peopleTrying to impress

Fear of rejection

Adopted as God Child You belong; you are accepted and loved

Guilty; no release Defensiveness, guilt, bitterness, withdrawal,

Forgiveness for sin thru Jesus’ Death

Acceptance apart from performance

Looking to work, wealth, family for significance & meaning

Unhealthy comparison to others; Fear of criticism, failing to meet expectations

Unique role in God’s purpose Significance; valued part of a family/team

Wealth can be lost or lose value or be stolen

Struggle to survive; fear death Promised an inheritance Security now and in the next life

Vulnerable to temptation Oppression; fear; superstition Delivered from Satan’s authority Free from demonic control

How to Appropriate your new spiritual Identity “in

Christ”•KNOW that your old self was crucified with Him. (6:6) •CONSIDER yourself dead to sin. (6:11) •PRESENT yourself to God, not to sin. (6:13)

IV. Mature believers will live by faith,• Acting on the truth of their identity in Christ• Jesus Christ is our standard and goal,• Not men

IV. Mature believers will live by faith,•B. Acting on the fact of their God-given abilities•All we have is because of God’s grace.

2. What counts with God is faithfulness

Effectiveness is always a product of

God’s activity, regardless of our

methods or wisdom!

IV. Mature believers will live by faith,•Seeking to discover and correct weaknesses that can be corrected.