Who You Are - In Christ
1. When you become a Christian, your entire identity changes. The name "Christian" actually means "one who is in Christ, and has Christ in him." That's awesome! Jesus lives in you. I will live in them, and walk in them. (2 Corinthians 6:16) That changes you at the core. You are one of His children, begotten by Him, having His nature. (I Peter 1:3) You are a new creation. The biggest part of this change is that you no longer live for yourself, but for Him who loved you, and bought you with His blood. (see 2 Corinthians 5:15) He is the One who made these changes in you. He gave you a new heart. (see Ezekiel 36:26)
2. The Bible says that,
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. II Corinthians 5:17
3. That means I'm changed - really changed! In fact, I now have a completely new makeup. I have been made new.
Consider the caterpillar. It starts life as a fat mushy worm that can only crawl. It has no exoskeleton (It does not have an external hard skeleton, or "shell," like a butterfly). It has many legs, but no wings. Then by some miracle it is transformed into a beautiful butterfly. Now it has wings. It can fly thousands of miles, and soar over mountains. It has become a thing of exquisite beauty, admired by all who see it. The scientists shake their heads in utter amazement and disbelief. Where did those wings come from? Scientists don't know.
Christians are like that butterfly. We have been changed by the power of God into something that we never were, and never could have become. You see, the caterpillar has been changed into something else - other than what it once was. It is not just a different kind of caterpillar - it is a different kind of creature altogether. Christians are like that.
4. Does the butterfly know that it has been changed from what it once was? The transformation is pervasive and complete. Do new Christians know what has taken place? The Bible says the change is complete.
...and you are complete in Him Colossians 2:10
5. All of these changes happen by the grace of God. That is the miracle working power of God. Here is what grace does:
- Grace says we are accepted in the Beloved, in whom we have redemption, and the forgiveness of sins. (Our sins have been legally and completely dismissed.) Ephesians 1:6-7
- Grace declares that we are qualified to partake of Jesus' inheritance. Colossians 1:12
- Grace says we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. Philippians 4:13
- Grace says we have been justified by faith. Romans 5:1 And we have peace with God.
- Grace proclaims us to be holy! And we are beloved! Colossians 3:12 Colossians 1:22
- Grace announces that we are salt, and we are light. Matthew 5:13-14
6. For a more complete list of who we are in Christ see the next lesson in this book. In fact, the Bible says that it will take all of eternity itself for us to find out how much we have been changed by God's grace.
...that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ. Ephesians 2:7
7. The more I look into this deep well of grace, the more astounded I am! This well has no bottom! The ocean of God's love for us just cannot be fathomed!
Therefore with Joy shall I draw water from the well of salvation. Isaiah 12:3
8. Paul had this prayer for all believers...
that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge that you may be filled - with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19
9. The point is this: If you really know who you are in Christ, you might just start acting like it. It is essential for every new believer to begin to know who he is in Christ. Try out your new wings and fly, while all the whole world watches in breathless wonder and awe. You have been given a new nature. You now have the nature of Christ, and you will find out that you have His power and love. (see Colossians 3:8-11)
10. When you become a Christian you are adopted into God's family. This means you have received an inheritance (see next lesson). It will take you all of eternity to discover all the vast riches of your inheritance in Christ.