A New Identity
Learning to See Yourself in Christ
One of the greatest questions we will ever answer is not simply, “Who am I?” but “Who am I in Christ?” The world constantly attempts to give us an identity based on our history, accomplishments, failures, relationships, appearance, or the opinions of others. But the gospel announces something radically different. When we are in Christ, our past is no longer the ultimate authority on who we are. Something new has come.
Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” Notice where Paul places the emphasis: in Christ. Christianity is more than believing certain truths about Jesus. Through Christ, we are brought into an entirely new relationship and position with God.
Paul makes this clear in Ephesians 2:13: those who were once far away have now been “brought near by the blood of Christ.” Being in Christ changes our position. We do not spend our lives desperately attempting to earn our way closer to God. Through Jesus, we have already been brought near. The Christian life therefore begins to change when we stop living as people trying to reach God and begin living as people who have been reconciled and brought near to God. This is only possible through Christ, understanding that we are in Christ.
But our position must also transform our perception. Paul intentionally says, “and see, the new has come.” We must learn to perceive ourselves through the reality of what Christ has accomplished. Galatians 2:20 gives us this new lens: we have been crucified with Christ, and now Christ lives in us. Our old identity does not get the final word anymore. Jesus does.
This is also why baptism carries such powerful meaning. Galatians 3:27 says, “For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.” Baptism is more than publicly announcing something we believe; it visibly identifies us with Jesus. We have been united with His death and resurrection, and now we are called to live from the identity we have received in Him.
That new identity also changes the way we understand freedom. Galatians 2:4 speaks about “the freedom we have in Christ Jesus.” Notice Paul's language: freedom is something believers have in Christ. We can spend years pursuing something Jesus has already made available to us. In Christ, freedom becomes our portion rather than merely our pursuit.
The invitation, then, is to learn to live from what Jesus has already accomplished. You have been brought near. You have been made new. You have been clothed with Christ. Your old identity no longer possesses the authority to determine your future.
Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” Notice where Paul places the emphasis: in Christ. Christianity is more than believing certain truths about Jesus. Through Christ, we are brought into an entirely new relationship and position with God.
Paul makes this clear in Ephesians 2:13: those who were once far away have now been “brought near by the blood of Christ.” Being in Christ changes our position. We do not spend our lives desperately attempting to earn our way closer to God. Through Jesus, we have already been brought near. The Christian life therefore begins to change when we stop living as people trying to reach God and begin living as people who have been reconciled and brought near to God. This is only possible through Christ, understanding that we are in Christ.
But our position must also transform our perception. Paul intentionally says, “and see, the new has come.” We must learn to perceive ourselves through the reality of what Christ has accomplished. Galatians 2:20 gives us this new lens: we have been crucified with Christ, and now Christ lives in us. Our old identity does not get the final word anymore. Jesus does.
This is also why baptism carries such powerful meaning. Galatians 3:27 says, “For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.” Baptism is more than publicly announcing something we believe; it visibly identifies us with Jesus. We have been united with His death and resurrection, and now we are called to live from the identity we have received in Him.
That new identity also changes the way we understand freedom. Galatians 2:4 speaks about “the freedom we have in Christ Jesus.” Notice Paul's language: freedom is something believers have in Christ. We can spend years pursuing something Jesus has already made available to us. In Christ, freedom becomes our portion rather than merely our pursuit.
The invitation, then, is to learn to live from what Jesus has already accomplished. You have been brought near. You have been made new. You have been clothed with Christ. Your old identity no longer possesses the authority to determine your future.
The question is no longer simply, “Who was I?”
The greater question is:
The greater question is:
“Now that I am in Christ, who has He made me to be?”
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