Reinhard
27 Who We are in Jesus Christ
As Christians, it is important to know who we are in Christ. We are 'born again'. We are new creations in Christ Jesus.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
When we are 'born again' into the kingdom of God, we become a child of God.
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
We immediately have right standing with God (righteousness) through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
As Christians, Jesus Christ is our right standing with God. We don't come on our own merits, but through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
We should know our purpose in life. We should know our mission. As it says in Proverbs, without a vision, people perish. If a Christian does not have a vision of who they are in Christ and what their purpose in life is, they can lose valuable time wandering.
As Christians, we have the general 'great commission' to go into all the world and preach the gospel. Each of us can find the specific way God has enabled us to be a blessing to others.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
We have the promise from Jesus, that as we follow Him, we will be made fishers of men.
Matt 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
As Christians, we can know from the Word of God, what God’s will is for us corporately. We can know what God’s will is us individually. We can be led by the Holy Spirit in choosing how to use the talents and gifts that God has given us. We can pray God’s promises over our lives. We can hear God speaking to us.
Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Each of us can be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit, empowering us to be witnesses of the grace of God to those around us.
Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Whether we stay close to home or travel afar, we can be vessels that God’s light can shine through.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Isa 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
We consider ourselves to be dead to the world and alive to Jesus Christ!
Rom 6:3-6 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? :4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. :5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
We are mindful that we part of the body of Christ.
1 Cor 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
We are mindful that we live and move and have our being in the Lord Jesus Christ!
Act 17:28a For in him we live, and move, and have our being;
As Christians, we remember that our life is hid in Christ. We consider ourselves dead to the world and alive to Christ.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
We see in the Bible examples of people called by God to specific tasks. Moses was called to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt and into the promises land. Joseph was called to be a deliverer and a leader. Paul and Barnabas were called to do God's work.
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Paul and Barnabas were already serving God and then were sent out on a more specific mission.
Who God says we are is more important that what the world or any man made test would say. We can keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the author and the finisher of our faith. We can grow in faith! We can trust God more in every area of our lives. We are mindful that it is far better to have the blessing of God on our lives than earthly compliments.
Here is a list, using the letters of the alphabet, to remind of us of who of we are in Christ. Take some time to look up the Bible verses that go with each attribute.
1.
Accepted in the beloved, Ambassador for Christ, Abiding in the vine.
(Eph 1:6, 2 Cor. 5:20, John 15:1-7)
2. Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:14, 1 Tim 4:12)
3. Christian saved by grace! (Eph. 2:8,9)
4. Doer of God’s Word. (James 1:25)
5. Enjoying the abundant life in Jesus Christ and the peace that passes
understanding. (John 10:10, Phil 4:6,7)
6. Forgiven of my sins. They are as far as the east is from the west.
(Acts 13:38, Ephesians 1:7, Colosians 1:14)
7. Going to share the love of Jesus Christ with others. (Matt 28:19, Eph
3:19)
8. Heaven bound and encouraging others to come too. (John 14:1-4, Mark
16:15, 1 Th 3:2)
9. Iron sharpening iron when it comes to edifying friends. (Proverbs
27:17)
10. Joyfully living for God. (Neh. 8:10, John 15:11, John 16:24)
11. Knowing that we have an eternal life through Jesus Christ! (John
3:15, 1 Timothy 6:12)
12. Looking for the sudden return of Jesus Christ. He is coming quickly!
(Matt 24:27, Rev. 3:11, Rev 22:7)
13. Mindful of God's grace our lives. (1 Cor 15:10)
14. Naming the Name of Jesus Christ in which we pray and abide. (Acts
4:10-12)
15. Overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
(Rev 12:11)
16. Pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:12-14)
17. Quickened by the Holy Spirit that lives in me. (Col 2:13, Rom. 8:11)
18. Running the race that is set before me. (Hebrews 12:1)
19. Salt of the earth. Saved by grace. (Matt 5:13, Eph 2:8)
20. Taking time to use the Talents God has entrusted me with. (Eph 5:16)
21. Understanding God’s Word with the Holy Spirit’s help. (Eph 1:18)
22. Victorious in Jesus Christ who always causes us to triumph. (2 Cor
2:14, 1 John 5:4)
23. Winning in life through Jesus Christ who is greater than he that is
in the world. (1 John 4:4)
24. Yielding to God. (James 4:7)
25. Zealous for God. (Titus 2:14)
As we live whole heartedly for God, there is plenty of work that God has for us. I once heard a phrase that bears repeating, 'there are people waiting on the other side of our obedience'. As we trust and obey God, there is work in God's harvest field. A verse that shows that is:
Ps 101:6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
We are made perfect in spirit before God through receiving Jesus Christ as Savior, having our sins washed away by His shed blood. We then purpose with God's enablement to become vessels that are useable by God.
2 Tim 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work..