Living from Who God Says You Are
Theme Scripture
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Additional Scriptures
- Ephesians 1:3–14
- Romans 8:1–17
- Colossians 3:1–4
- Galatians 2:20
- 1 Peter 2:9–10
Introduction
One of the greatest battles every Christian faces is the battle of identity.
Many believers know that Jesus forgave their sins, yet they continue to define themselves by their past mistakes, present struggles, family background, education, achievements, or failures.
Some say:
- “I am a failure.”
- “I am rejected.”
- “I am not good enough.”
- “I will never change.”
But God says something entirely different.
When you placed your faith in Jesus Christ, God gave you a completely new identity.
- Your past no longer defines you.
- Your sins no longer define you.
- Other people’s opinions no longer define you.
- Your identity is now found in Christ.
Until you believe what God says about you, you will continue to struggle to live the life He has called you to live.
The Christian life is not about trying to become someone else.
It is about learning to live as the person God has already made you in Christ.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this week you will:
- Understand what it means to be “in Christ.”
- Discover your new identity as God’s child.
- Learn how identity influences behaviour.
- Reject false labels that contradict God’s Word.
- Begin living confidently from your identity in Christ.
Word Study
“New Creation”
The Greek expression translated “new creation” speaks of something made new in quality, not merely improved.
When God saves a person, He does not simply repair the old life.
He begins a completely new work.
This new identity is God’s gift.
It is not earned through good behaviour.
It is received through faith in Jesus Christ.
Old Testament Picture
When God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, He also changed the direction of his life.
When He changed Jacob’s name to Israel, He gave him a new identity and a new purpose.
Throughout Scripture, God often changed people’s names to reflect what He was doing in their lives.
Today, God may not change our earthly names, but He gives every believer a new identity through Jesus Christ.
Who Am I in Christ?
The Bible answers this question clearly.
Because I am in Christ:
I Am Forgiven
God has completely forgiven my sins through Jesus Christ.
I no longer live under condemnation.
I Am God’s Child
God is no longer only my Creator.
He is also my loving Father.
I belong to His family forever.
I Am Accepted
I do not have to earn God’s approval.
Christ has already made me acceptable before the Father.
I Am Righteous in Christ
My righteousness does not come from my own efforts.
It comes from Jesus Christ.
I Am Chosen
Before the foundation of the world, God purposed to save a people for Himself through Christ.
Knowing that I am chosen should fill me with humility, gratitude, and confidence—not pride.
I Am Loved
Nothing can separate me from God’s love in Christ Jesus.
His love remains constant through every season of life.
Illustration
The Prince Who Lived Like a Beggar
A young prince was separated from his family when he was a child.
He grew up believing he was poor and insignificant.
Years later, he discovered that he was the rightful heir to the kingdom.
At first, he still thought and acted like a beggar.
Although his identity had changed, his thinking had not.
Only when he accepted who he truly was did his behaviour begin to change.
Many Christians live the same way.
God has made them His children, yet they continue thinking like spiritual orphans.
The Christian life changes when we begin believing what God says about us.
Grace in Action
Choose one identity statement each morning.
Read it aloud.
Thank God for making it true.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live consistently with that truth throughout the day.
Reflection Questions
- What labels have you accepted about yourself that do not agree with God’s Word?
- Which truth about your identity in Christ encourages you most?
- Why do you think behaviour changes more effectively when identity changes first?
- How does knowing you are God’s child affect your relationship with Him?
- Which identity statement will you intentionally believe this week?
Grace Gems
Take time to meditate on these truths.
“God does not call you according to your past. He calls you according to your new life in Christ.”
“Your identity is a gift to receive, not a reward to earn.”
“When you know who you are in Christ, you no longer need to prove your worth to the world.”
“Grace changes your position before it changes your practice.”
“God’s declaration about you is stronger than your feelings about yourself.”
Identity Declarations
Speak these aloud every day this week.
- I am a new creation in Christ.
- I am forgiven.
- I am accepted.
- I am deeply loved.
- I am God’s child.
- I am chosen for His purpose.
- I am righteous through Christ.
- I am never alone.
- I belong to Jesus.
- I will live today from my identity, not for my identity.
Memory Verse
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Memory Challenge
Read this verse aloud every morning and evening.
Then ask yourself one question:
“Am I living today according to my old identity or my new identity in Christ?”
Living Like Who You Already Are
Many Christians know the facts of the gospel, yet they continue living as though nothing has changed.
Why?
Because information alone does not transform a life.
Transformation begins when we believe what God says about us and allow that truth to shape our thoughts, attitudes, decisions, and actions.
The Apostle Paul did not tell believers to become God’s children. He reminded them that they already were God’s children.
Our daily challenge is not to create a new identity but to live consistently with the identity God has already given us.
Identity always influences behaviour.
A person who believes he is rejected will often withdraw from others.
A person who believes she is loved will find it easier to love others.
A believer who knows he is accepted by God does not serve to gain approval but serves out of gratitude and love.
This is why understanding your identity in Christ is so important.
Renewing Your Mind
Read
Romans 12:1–2
Although God has given you a new identity, your mind still needs to be renewed by His Word.
Before becoming a Christian, you learned to think according to the values of the world.
Now God teaches you to think according to His truth.
This is a lifelong process.
Every day you must choose which voice you will believe.
Will you believe your past?
Will you believe your fears?
Will you believe the opinions of others?
Or will you believe the Word of God?
Spiritual growth happens when God’s truth becomes stronger than the lies you have believed.
Identity Check
Prayerfully answer these questions.
□ Do I believe God loves me even when I fail?
□ Do I approach God as a beloved child or as someone trying to earn acceptance?
□ When I make mistakes, do I run toward God or away from Him?
□ Am I allowing my past to define my future?
□ Am I becoming more confident in what God says about me?
If you answered “No” to any of these questions, ask the Holy Spirit to help you replace those false beliefs with biblical truth.
Christ in the Old Testament
Gideon: From Fearful to Mighty
Read: Judges 6:11–16
When the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he called him:
“The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valour.”
At that moment, Gideon did not feel mighty.
He felt weak, afraid, and inadequate.
God addressed Gideon according to what He was making him, not according to how Gideon saw himself.
Likewise, God speaks to believers according to their identity in Christ.
He calls us:
- His children
- His saints
- His workmanship
- His ambassadors
- His royal priesthood
Faith learns to agree with God’s declaration even before our feelings catch up.
Grace in Practice
This week, intentionally replace negative self-talk with biblical truth.
Whenever you think:
“I am not good enough,”
respond with:
“My acceptance is found in Christ.”
Whenever you think:
“I always fail,”
respond with:
“God is completing the good work He began in me.”
Whenever you think:
“God must be disappointed with me,”
respond with:
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Do this every day.
Notice how God’s Word begins to reshape your thinking.
Real-Life Testimony
Sarah had struggled for years with feelings of rejection.
Although she attended church faithfully, she constantly believed she had to prove herself to God and to other people.
During a Bible study on Ephesians 1, she realised that she was already accepted in Christ.
Instead of praying, “Lord, please accept me,”
she began praying,
“Father, thank You that You have accepted me through Jesus.”
That simple change transformed her prayer life.
She became more joyful, more confident, and more willing to serve others because she was no longer serving from insecurity.
Grace had changed the way she saw herself.
Reflection Questions
- Which false belief about yourself do you need to surrender to God?
- Which truth from Scripture will replace that false belief?
- How can renewing your mind change your relationships at home, church, and work?
- Which person in your life needs encouragement to understand their identity in Christ?
- What practical step will you take this week to live from your new identity?
Grace Gems
Meditate on these truths throughout the week.
“God’s opinion of you in Christ is more trustworthy than your opinion of yourself.”
“Your behaviour improves as your understanding of your identity deepens.”
“Grace does not ignore your past; it gives you a new future.”
“The Christian life begins by believing what God has already declared.”
“You do not wake up each morning trying to become God’s child. You wake up because you already are His child.”
Weekly Prayer
Father, thank You for making me a new creation in Christ. Help me to reject every lie that contradicts Your Word. Teach me to see myself as You see me and to live each day with confidence, humility, love, and obedience. May my thoughts, words, and actions reflect the new identity You have given me through Jesus Christ. In His name, Amen.