Our Identity in Christ

Who am I? What is my identity? 
 
When we meet someone new, we tend to ask three immediate questions.  

1. What is your name?  
   
2. Where are you from?  
   
3. What do you do?  
   

We ask these questions because they seem to give a quick overview of someone’s identity, but do they really? Knowing my name gives someone a surefire way of getting my attention, but our culture doesn’t put any significance on first names, at least as far as character goes. Knowing my last name can be helpful in terms of making family connections and trying to move past the awkward stranger phase. In some cases, our last name may carry significance, but only if it connects us to someone who is already known, either by their character or their status.  

Knowing where I am from can be helpful in making connecting points; either because you know someone from my area, or because it helps give us something to talk about. Our past has an impact on our development and character, and learning that is a way of drilling down past the surface of a relationship. Knowing what I do as an occupation can also be helpful in making connecting points; either because we share common abilities, or because it gives us something else to talk about. Our occupation can give a glimpse into our skill set and passions, and it is another tool to help us get to know each other.

For many people in our culture, the above answers form the nucleus of their identity, or if they don’t, can be easily substituted with questions about family, hobbies, sports, etc. But, for the Christian, these answers are a poor substitute for our real identity. 
 
Romans 8:16-17 says, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” (NASB).

If you are a believer, then you are a child of God. In one literal sense, a Christian male is a son of God, and a Christian female is a daughter of God. No, this does not put us on the same plane as Jesus, the only true Son of God. His identity is an expression of His essence; our identity is an expression of our position. It speaks dramatically of our relationship to God. Paul used this kind of specific language in 2 Corinthians 6:18, “And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,’ says the Lord Almighty.” This is the last verse of the chapter, and in verses 16-17, Paul quotes from the Old Testament to teach these believers that they must not be united with unbelievers. Verse 18 is not a direct Old Testament quote, but it is written as a reference to Scripture, so which verse did Paul have in mind? There are several to choose from (2 Samuel 7:14-15; Hosea 1:10), but I will quote Isaiah 43:6-7, “I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made.’” In our day and age, this might sound redundant, but I want to emphasize that men and women have equal standing before God; men are called “sons of God,” and women are called “daughters of God.” 

How much time have you taken to meditate on this remarkable truth? It is no small thing which God has done! God has both saved us from His wrath and adopted us into His family. Salvation is both being delivered from condemnation and being destined for heaven! It is a present reality and a future glory. Even as I think on it, I cannot fully comprehend it. Jesus died on the cross for my sin, coming under the full wrath of God in the process. When I receive salvation, God declares that I am righteous. But insofar as a relationship with Him goes, God would be fully justified in only declaring me His slave. In one respect, that is true; I am God’s slave. Upon receiving salvation, I am delivered from one master, but I come under another. I am free from slavery to sin and from serving Satan, but am now a slave to righteousness and must serve God. Paul wrote of this in Romans 6 and 1 Corinthians 6, with 1 Corinthians 6:18 giving a nice summary. “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 
 
If that was the extent of the relationship, we would be recipients of much grace, far more than we deserve, since we deserve condemnation. But God has done much more than just redeem us as His slaves; He calls us His sons and daughters. I quoted from Romans 8:16-17 earlier, but now want to give you verse 15, “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’” Paul wrote similarly in Galatians 4:6-7, “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ Therefore, you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” I love how the Bible is filled with pictures. In both verses, Paul refers to God as our “Abba,” the equivalent of our “Daddy.” Regrettably, when I think back to the years when our children were young, I don’t remember taking note of that look of complete trust from our children. I’m sure it was there, but I was too busy with life to stop and contemplate the significance. Now, as a grandpa to young grandchildren, I see that look regularly. I notice that look of complete trust which says, “As long as I am with you, I am safe.” The little body relaxes, the little face is at rest, and hand-in-hand the child willingly follows mom or dad.  

This is my identity. I belong to God. He is my Abba, and He cares for me with unlimited power and wisdom. He is never overwhelmed; He is never distracted; He is always able to protect.  

Why then, do Christians struggle with self-esteem, insecurities, or feelings of inadequacy? Why do we have fears and doubts? Why do we try to prove ourselves to others? Why do we look for validation in what we do? Why do we rate our worth by other people’s opinions?  

Sadly, I have spent most of my life projecting an image of confidence, while inwardly feeling inadequate and almost worthless. For years, I measured my value by my performance, and found that I was always striving to do more, because only when I exceeded expectations would people be impressed. Eventually, though, I burned myself out, because I have a limit of how much I can do. God, in His infinite wisdom, worked on me with great patience and perseverance. This is embarrassing to admit, but only within the last year have I really begun to live as a child of God first, and everything else, second. I am not a pastor first, I am not a father first, I am not a grandfather first, I am not a Canadian first, I am not Trevor Kirsch first; I am one of God’s chosen sons first.  

This pierces right to the heart of my worth, my confidence, my joy, my peace, my trust, and my contentment. I must continue to pursue excellence, but not so I can prove my worth. I must do so, because one day I will stand before Jesus and give an account of my actions. I came across a phrase several years ago, “Remember my audience of One.” Whatever my responsibilities, there is only one whose judgment matters, and that is God. Others might be impressed and speak highly of me, but if I live and work to build my name and my legacy, God is not impressed. On the other hand, if I live and work to bring glory to God, then God is pleased, regardless of what other people think.  

I expect that everyone who will read this article already knows this truth, but I doubt that everyone lives it. Even as I write, the words convict my heart again, because I battle with my heart every single day. Fortunately, God has given us an easy measuring stick to gauge our hearts, and we can do some quiet reflection at any time. Have I been hurt or offended by someone recently? Why did it bother me? Maybe it was because the Holy Spirit pricked my conscience, in which case I need to ask forgiveness and change my behavior. Or maybe it bothered me because I regressed to finding my value in that person’s opinion.  

How is your heart today? Where do you find your value today? Is it in your work, your family, your friends, your hobbies, your skills, your wealth? Do you crave attention? Do you seek validation from the praise of others? Do you work to prove that you matter? Do you trust God with your problems, or do you need to solve them yourself? Does reflecting on your identity before God give you peace and contentment?  
​
Living within my true identity is very freeing, because we know that we cannot please all people all the time. It is much simpler, in fact, to only be concerned with pleasing God. He is a good Master; He knows my limits and does not expect me to work beyond them. He knows my skills and abilities, for He gave them to me. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Trevor Kirsch has been serving at Compass Immanuel Church since 1998 and as senior pastor since 2019. He loves to teach. He and his wife, Twyilla, have three adult children and four grandchildren. ​