Identity in Christ?
Objections to the Gospel message very often stem from our sense of identity: The simple question ‘Who exactly am I?’: An atheist? A religious person? A pharisee who likes to control things? A social liberal whose lifestyle choices conflict with those Jesus taught? As we heard on Sunday morning, the apostle Paul wanted the Galatian Christians who were hearing objections to remember that those who have trusted in Jesus can say:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
(Gal 2:20)
That ‘identity’ in Christ, or as some theologians describe it, ‘Union with Christ’ by His Spirit’ is revolutionary to every area of life:
- It means that as a Christian I am totally secure forever, because when God the Father looks at me, He sees me as having Christ’s righteousness rather than my own sin.
- It means that when I pray, I am already accepted because Jesus is already accepted!
- It means that as I seek sanctification, becoming more like Him, I am actually seeking to be more of what in truth I already am!
- It means that in my relationships with other Christians who form the church, I am predisposed to love them because Christ loves His bride!
- Etc… etc!
In a world where all of our identities are apparently up for grabs, a Christian’s true identity is eternally and wonderfully in Jesus forever. Everything else about us, including society’s so-called ‘protected characteristics’ are secondary to this great truth that Christ gave Himself for. My identity is as someone who is constantly, eternally and wonderfully loved!
Spencer Shaw