Who Are You?
Five Pillars of Our Identity
The question of our identity determines our thinking, feeling, and acting.
1. You Are a New Creation and Part of the New Humanity
Whoever is in Christ is not merely a "repaired" or morally improved old human. In Christ our old, Adamic humanity was ignominiously crucified together with Him on the cross and done away with. We no longer belong to the old Adam, but are firstfruits of an entirely new creation and belong to the new humanity whose Head is Christ. Do you believe this?
Do you believe this?
2. You Are Unconditionally Justified and Unblameable
God does not see you in Christ as a sinner who must constantly beg for forgiveness; rather, He has once for all acquitted you of all sins and declared you righteous. This justification is not of your own merit, but rests upon the obedience of faith of Christ on the cross. Before God's face you are holy, flawless, and unblameable. Do you believe this?
Do you believe this?
3. Truly a Son/Daughter of God, Not Merely a Child of God
Through faith in Christ you are not merely a servant or guest in the house of God, but placed into sonship. You are a beloved child in the family of God and may address God in full confidence as your own Father: "Abba, Father!". "Child" emphasizes descent and belonging to the family of God, whereas "son" emphasizes spiritual maturity, dignity, and position as heir in Christ. Do you believe this?
Do you believe this?
4. You Are Sealed with the Holy Spirit and Eternally Secure
Your identity does not waver with your daily condition. When you believed the evangel of your salvation, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit. This seal is God's irrevocable mark of ownership. Nothing and no one can snatch you out of His hand; your salvation is irrefutably secured. Do you believe this?
Do you believe this?
5. You Are a Citizen of Heaven and a Display of His Grace
Your true citizenship is not on this earth, but in the celestial realms. In spirit you are already seated there together with Christ. Your calling here on earth is to be an ambassador of peace and to display the riches of the transcendent grace of God before the world. Do you believe this?
Do you believe this?
Comparison of Areas of Life
| Area of Life | 👎 The Flesh / The World (Identity in Adam) | 👍 The Word of God (Identity in Christ) |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | My performance, my success, my appearance, my comparisons with others. | Pure, unconditional grace and divine choosing before the disruption of the world. |
| Self-Image | "I am my failures, my weaknesses, and my past." | "I am a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, new has come into being!" |
| Standing Before God | Fear of judgment, condemnation, and feelings of guilt. | Complete justification; unblameable and holy before God's face. |
| Relationship with God | Distant servitude; God as a strict judge. | Intimate sonship; God as loving, all-caring "Abba, Father". |
| Security | Wavering, dependent on feelings and the opinions of others. | Inviolable; sealed with the Holy Spirit forever. |
| Goal in Life | Self-realization, recognition, earthly citizenship. | Glorification of Christ, ministry of conciliation, celestial citizenship. |