Learning to Abide in Your Christ Given Identity Sample

Day 7 His Righteousness Becomes Your Identity

Many people think that living in our identity in Christ somehow takes away from the glory of God. This is not the case! Living in our identity in Him celebrates His heart for His children and shines His light through us. God is sovereign and supreme. We are His offspring, who carry His nature and show His glory through our transformed lives. When we walk in our identity in Christ and reflect God’s image, He is glorified. We become holy people, set apart for Him. 

As we’ve already seen, the topic of righteousness is one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian community today. Righteousness is directly related to holiness. Until you understand and walk in righteousness, sin will dominate you. Living in holiness is not something you can accomplish through striving. It is a fruit of an intimate, abiding relationship with Christ. In other words, holiness is the fruit of righteousness. Although righteousness cannot be earned, it should produce a change in you that leads you into good works and eventual holiness before God. This is a process that happens over your lifetime. 

Either we live in worldly kingdoms, where sin continues to reign and hold us back from what God desires for us in our walk with Christ, or we live in God’s kingdom as we abide in our righteous identity in Christ, producing the fruit of holiness. The first worldly kingdom is the kingdom of self. Many in the church today are deceived by what they believe is their place in the body of Christ. Many have called upon Jesus to save them from hell, but they have not progressed past that point. They understand Jesus to be the One who saves them from things, gives them things, and blesses them with things. However, there is no lifestyle of repentance, submission, discipline, or obedience. These people think that life is about them and their kingdom. All roads in their kingdom lead to self. They only invite others into their lives who will serve their kingdom desires. 

The second worldly kingdom is the kingdom of religion, politics, and society. The people who live in this kingdom are self-righteous. They follow the rules and organizational principles upon which their kingdom was founded. They find comfort in their ability to look a certain way and align their behaviors with a certain set of beliefs. Citizens of this second kingdom do not have the joy of the Lord or of their salvation. Many in this kingdom do not subscribe to the biblical gospel. Their way to God comes through a works-based mindset. Their kingdom places the traditions of men before the Word of God. As a result, they view manmade traditions, institutions, and entities as the objects of their religion. They believe that if they adhere to the rules, they are righteous before God. People who live in the second kingdom are distant from the heart of God. Look at Christ’s kingdom in contrast to these two. 

In order to live in Christ’s kingdom and make Him Lord, you must abide in your identity in Christ. When we make Christ the Lord of our lives, we become true disciples of Him. But this is not easy. It is a call to deny yourself for the sake of following Christ. Discipleship will take you the rest of your life. Christ’s goal is that you, through intimacy with Him, will be a fully devoted follower of Him. Salvation costs you nothing. It is the free gift that God gives to everyone who believes (Ephesians 2:8–9). Discipleship will cost you everything. It is a call to die (Galatians 2:20). You no longer are living for yourself but for Christ. I want you to see the great gift of righteousness that has been bestowed upon you in Christ. Stop taking this gift for granted. 

Don’t take this knowledge and live as you have lived in the past. Live as a child of the King, transformed from the inside and empowered by His Spirit (Romans 8:12–17). Your Identity Is Holiness in Him You are called to be a part of this holy, called-out people of God. You are identified by His presence and holiness. You have been called out of darkness. You once were lost in this world, but now you have your identity in Christ (Ephesians 5:8–14). John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name….” 

Pick some of the verses or thoughts we shared and use the STAR Journal Method to process through. 

#1 Scripture Read/Promise Given/Question Asked

Read the verse and/or question. Pause and prayerfully meditate on what is being said, read, or asked.

#2 Thought Conveyed

Write down what this means to you to clearly understand the question, Scripture thought, or promise. Make it personal to get the most out of it.

#3 Application Made

How does this teaching apply to me right now? How does this apply to my leadership context?

#4 Response Given

What can I do to immediately apply this to my life? How should I respond/react to this promise or instruction now and long-term?