Aimless. Defeated. No confidence. It seeped into every area - health, mental well-being, emotional stability and spiritual strength. A follower of Christ, yet wounded warrior.
I used to be that girl. I was fearful and struggled with my identity. I knew God loved me and I knew He wanted to me to live in victory, but something held me back.
Then one day a woman in church handed me a photocopy sheet of Scripture. It was titled "Who I Am In Christ." Every verse told of my true position in Christ because of victory won at the Cross. I thanked the woman, stuffed the sheet in my Bible and kept walking. But something told me her gift was significant.
Later that night I opened the sheet of paper and started reading. After going through twenty-eight verses I felt good about myself, secure and cherished by my Father.
It became a daily habit to read my "Who I Am In Christ" Scriptures during quiet time with the Lord. Little did I know I was meditating on the Word of God and applying it to my life. Each time I read the words, my mindset was morphing to see myself the way God did.
And I changed from an insecure girl to a woman who knew her position and divine purpose in Christ.
The key to overcoming obstacles in life starts with knowing who you really are - the person you are in Christ.
In Matthew 13, Jesus had a conversation with His disciples regarding identity. He asked, "Who do people say I am?" The disciples responded with who others thought Jesus was. Then Jesus questioned, "Who do you say I am?"
Simon famously replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."
Jesus went on to explain, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church and it will change the world."
Who is Christ to you?
Is He another prophet? A historical figure? A good man? A fallacy? Or is He Christ? Is He the Anointed One? Is He Savior of the world?
Jesus is more than a good man. He is God revealed in flesh. He came to rescue you and I from eternal sin and death. He died for our sin and rose again in victory. Knowing who you are starts with knowing Him more each day.
The keys is to know Jesus as He is, not as others see Him. Others may see Jesus as a judge, but He is opposite. He is a loving God of mercy and grace. He is slow to anger and will not hold your faults against you. His plans for your life are to prosper, not harm. He is good and His loving kindness endures forever.
Knowing who you are originates in knowing who He is.
Peter found his true identity and calling when he acknowledged Jesus as Christ. Up till that point he was Simon, the fisherman. Sure he followed Jesus, but his life lacked power. Once he acknowledged Jesus as Christ, his identity changed. He became Peter, a rock Jesus could build His church upon.
Identity is found in greater revelation of who you are in Christ. Who He is and how He loves you; understanding how valued you are and how righteous He has made you contribute to who you are in Him. As you know how accepted and free He has made you, you can't but help become steadfast in your true self.
When you know who you are in Christ, you will change the world.
Once Peter realised his identity in Christ he went from ordinary fisherman to Christian superpower. On the day of Pentecost he preached and thousands were saved. He performed miracles and is credited as founder of the church. Jesus' prophecy was fulfilled - Peter changed the world. But it was not the man, it was the revelation. Peter found who he was in Christ, and it made all the difference.
Dig into the Word, search Scripture to discover Christ - not just who others deem Him to be, but as He is. Then look for "in Christ" passages that reveal your authority and right-standing in Him.
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:20
All the promises of God in Christ are yes. That means the sky is the limit. There is no stopping what you can do in Christ. Just like Peter, when you know who you are in Christ, you will change the world.
Sarah Coleman is an Australian pastor and Bible teacher. Check out her resource Who You Are In Christ, a 21-day e-course to help people discover their true identity in Christ. To read more from Sarah, head over to her blog, sarahcoleman.com.au.
Publication date: January 22, 2016