Identity - Who Are You?Sample

## Claim Back Your Identity Adam, the first man, made a choice that hurt the human race. However with God's grace, kindness and mercy, a way was made for the second Adam (Jesus) to come to earth and face a choice to become sin for us and defeat death, or turn His back on us and choose His will. I am very grateful for the choice Jesus made to become sin for me so I can live with Him forever. Jesus's death and resurrection opened the door for fellowship and communication with the Heavenly Father again. Now, the enemy of our soul can still try to lie to us as he did to Eve, but we have the same choice as she did and we can choose differently. We can claim our identity in Christ and His finished work on the cross which He paid in full for our identity to be restored. Unfortunately, we deal with an enemy that will not give us a break till he is finally bound in hell, so he still looks for idle minds to spin his web of lies on. The good news is the Apostle Paul tells us how we can maintain our identity in Christ. He said, Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. Romans 12:2 (AMPC) According to Strong's Concordance, the word "conformed" in the Greek is "suschematizo," and it means "identified with," "having outward shape" or "assuming a similar outward form (expression) by following the same pattern (model, mold)." The Apostle Paul was telling us, do not just fit into the mold or model of our culture. Don't just take on an outward shape to be like everyone else; living life based on the ever-changing culture of the day or peoples' shifting opinions. But be transformed, be changed, and it all takes place in the mind. The word transformed in the Greek is "metamorphoo," and it means "change after being with," changing form in keeping with inner reality" or "transfigured." This word is also where we get the English word "metamorphosis" – that process that takes place in a butterfly's life, a complete transformation from one form to another all the while staying true to our identity. I am always in awe about the magnitude of our true identity as believers. The enemy longs to lie to us and tell us we will forever be ugly, shameful and worthless. We need not accept that lie because the truth is we are still made in the image and likeness of God. We become what we worship, and we become like the people we spend time with! The Apostle Paul emphasizes that to stay true to our God-identity, we must spend time in the word of God constantly; filling our minds with His truth, and we will become like the ONE we spend time with – Our Savior. As you sit at your Heavenly Father's feet today, ask Him to remove all veils and blindness to His words and may you embrace truth and be transformed into the beautiful butterfly that's deep within. "The Gospel is not an invitation to imitate Jesus Christ. The Gospel is an invitation to be transformed by Jesus Christ." -Alistair Begg