This Changes Your Identity 

By Sean Fryer

Have you ever used who you are as an excuse? You might be wondering what I mean by that, so picture it like this; someone asks you to do something and your response is, “I can’t, I’m too ___________.” What might your blank space say? Shy, scared, awkward, depressed, sad, anxious, or something else? It’s so easy in life to be held back by the things we think we are, but once you’re a Christian, you’re no longer those things.

Second Corinthians 5:17 tells us that “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Our identity completely changes in Christ. We aren’t who we were anymore; we’re a new creation! Our old self has been crucified with Christ, nailed to the cross, and done away with. Now, we literally identify as Christ, as children of God!

So, look at that blank space again. Stop filling it with who you were, who you think you are, or even who society tries to tell you that you are. Instead, change that narrative to “Jesus is, and because Jesus is, I am!” When you feel depressed, remember Jesus is joy, when you feel unloved, remember Jesus is love, when you feel scared, remember Jesus is powerful and bold. Remember who Jesus is and that He lives in you now. 

Jesus lives in you! You are no longer yourself; you are His and you are what He says about you! And what does He say about you? You are chosen, holy, and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12), you are God’s special possession (1 Peter 2:9), you the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13–14), you are victorious (Romans 8:38), you are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7), you are valuable (Job 33:4), you are His beloved child (1 John 3:1), you are His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). That is your identity!