Identity - I Am Accepted

A few minutes ago we sang a song entitled “Who You Say I Am”

The Bridge says:

I am chosen not forsaken I am who You [speaking of Jesus] say I am You are for me not against me I am who You say I am (Repeat)

Tag (Yes) I am who You say I am

Next Sunday, I have asked Sister Michelle to lead a newer song she introduced a few weeks ago: “A New Name Written Down in Glory”

I am pretty excited that the hymns are not forgotten — their lyrics have been put with updated music and additional lyrics.

For instance, this repurposed hymn has had a bridge added that says:

Bridge

I am who I am

Because the I AM tells me who I am (Repeat - several times)

But notice a commonality with these 2 songs.

Indeed it is a common theme concerning our identity:

Words define our identity.

Often we wrap our identity in words spoken by others to or about us.

Sometimes in words that failed to be spoken — but were desperately needed.

Other times in the Lies that the devil speaks.

Or words we speak to ourselves.

The Bible says a lot about words:

Proverbs 18:21 (NLT) The tongue [with its words] can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

This leads to a side note about controlling our speech:

Proverbs 13:3 (NLT) Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.

Proverbs 10:19 (NLT) Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

Proverbs 17:28 (NLT) Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

The Pragmatic Apostle, James says in:

James 1:19 (NLT) Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak…

He goes on to say in:

James 3:2 (TPT) We all fail in many areas, but especially with our words. Yet if we’re able to bridle the words we say we are powerful enough to control ourselves in every way, and that means our character is mature and fully developed.

And then he says:

James 3:8–10 (TPT) [Yes, it seems that] … the tongue is not able to be tamed. It’s a fickle, unrestrained evil that spews out words full of toxic poison! 9 We use our tongue to praise God our Father and then turn around and curse a person who was made in his very image! 10 Out of the same mouth we pour out words of praise one minute and curses the next. My brothers and sisters, this should never be!

And here is the kicker. Jesus said in:

Matthew 12:36–37 (NLT) And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle [careless, thoughtless] word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

New Living Translation Study Bible: The idle [or careless] word, [a word spoken without thinking] in this context, was the accusation that Jesus had demonic inspiration.

• What one says will acquit or condemn;

one’s words reflect the true condition of the heart.

I pray that the Lord will help us with our mouths.

That we will follow the instruction of:

Ephesians 4:29 (NCV) When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.

And, as far as words the devil speaks?

Jesus said in John 8:44 (NLT) … [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

In the Name of Jesus, we must stand against the lies the devil tries to feed us.

We must not allow him to seal our identity, given by God, when we are IN CHRIST.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will help us with our words, both what IS said and what SHOULD be said:

To our young people.

To other adults.

Even to ourselves.

Because, as I say, our identity is defined by words.

And our identity is a major factor in the quality of our lives and the behaviors in which we engage.

Who Am I?

So, who am I?

What do people say about me, what HAVE they said about me in the past that I have believed and deeply internalized?

What have people failed to tell me — encouraging things that I desperately needed to hear?

What lies does the devil tell us?

What do I say about myself?

What if I were to ask you to fill in the blanks of this sentence:

My name is _______________________ and I am _____________________.

J. Josh Smith writing in his (2022)book, The Titus Ten: Foundations for Godly Manhood says:

The first blank is easy. You have a name. You didn’t choose it. It was given to you. You’ve had it your whole life. It’s what people call you. You don’t have to think about it. You don’t have to hesitate when people ask you. You’ve said it a million times.

The second blank might be a little more difficult. There are a lot of things that could go there. My first thought when I look at that second blank is, Where do I start? I am a lot of things. And so are you. At times I feel like I am an overwhelming number of things, a lot of different things to a lot of different people, a lot of different things at a lot of different times. Sound familiar?

Despite the difficulty, our ability to clearly and quickly fill in that second blank is equally as important as the first one. The first blank is just your name.

The second blank is your identity. Or at least, it should be.

The reason we struggle filling in that second blank is that our first thought is most often not our identity, but our assignments. Identity and assignments are distinct but inseparable parts of every man and woman.

Identity answers the question, “Who am I?” Assignment answers the question, “What has God called me to do?”

And our failure to make that distinction can lead to a lot of pain, frustration, anxiety, and a host of other issues.

Smith also reminds us that:

Everyone has an identity.

Your identity is who you think you are.

Whether you realize it or not, your identity is most formed by words others have said to you, phrases that begin with words like, “You are …,” “You will never be …,” or “You are just like…”

These careless words define us and leave many of us with an inner monologue that continues to reinforce a false identity.

Careless words are a curse. And we all have them.

In Christ

But we have got to get past the words that have been spoken.

The words that failed to be spoken.

Things the devil says about us.

He loves to accuse and condemn us.

In Revelation 12:10 speaks about how the devil accuses God’s children day and night.

We’ve got to walk away from his accusations.

We’ve even got to get past the things we have said about ourselves.

INSTEAD, as we are IN CHRIST through repentance and surrender to Jesus

We MUST constantly remember.

Meditate upon.

BELIEVE!

Who Jesus says we are.

When we are IN CHRIST we should no longer be defined by our past:

Galatians 2:20a (NLT) My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. …

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Ephesians 4:22–24 (NIV) You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

The Christian finds his or her identity ONLY in Jesus Christ.

The Christian faith informs us that we are children of God, that He loves us despite our unloveliness, and that He chooses to save us instead of condemn us.

But more than that, the Christian faith tells us that we are, by virtue of accepting our acceptance in Christ, made new (2 Cor. 5:17).

The old has passed and the new has come.

And what is the new? Christ living His life in us (Col. 1:27).

Colossians 1:26–27 (TPT) There is a divine mystery—a secret surprise that has been concealed from the world for generations, but now it’s being revealed, unfolded and manifested for every holy believer to experience. 27 Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!

The Christian educator’s handbook on spiritual formation says:

The Christian finds identity in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

… Christian spiritual formation is arriving at this awareness of our true identity and letting Christ live His life in and through us.

A Christian is one who has been transformed by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, we are transformed in the twinkling of an eye.

Christ’s resurrection is not merely a proof of His deity, it is the means of our transformation.

When we have a water Baptism in a few weeks, we will see that:

Having been baptized into Christ’s death, we are united with Him in His resurrection and therefore enabled to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:1–14).

By a single sacrifice Christ has made us perfect forever (Heb. 10:14).

How is this so? Because He is living His life in us.

He did not come merely to provide a means for us to get to heaven, He came to live in us.

Just as the Father lived His life in Jesus—and so enabled Him to do all that He did, so that life is now manifest in us.

As Jesus told us in John 15:5 Apart from Him we can do nothing.

This morning my goal is for us to see another aspect of our identity IN CHRIST.

In the past 3 weeks we have seen that …

We MUST know that our faith in Jesus makes us individually children of God. John 1:12-13

(That is on the list on the back of the bulletin which we will look at in a minute)

We are God’s Children who come to the Table of the Lord’s Supper and partake together.

We are members of the Body of Christ — the Bride of Christ

We were created by God…

Created fragile, dependent of God for everything and accountable to Him.

Accepted, Received, Welcomed

Let’s add to that this morning.

Look at …

Romans 15:7 (LSB) Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

Romans 15:7 (TPT) You will bring God glory when you accept and welcome one another as partners, just as the Anointed One has fully accepted you and received you as His partner.

Ephesians 1:6–7 (KJV) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he [The Father] hath made us accepted in the beloved [Jesus]. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

So, among many Biblical, encouraging answers, I would like us to put “I am accepted” in the second blank.

Why? Because as we just read in Romans and in Ephesians …

We are accepted, received, welcomed IN CHRIST.

As the list of 11 characteristics of our Identity IN CHRIST on the back of the bulletin reminds us:

WHO I AM IN CHRIST

I Am Accepted in Christ BECAUSE…

I am God’s child JOHN 1:12

(Out of order) I have been adopted as God’s child EPHESIANS 1:5

I am Christ’s friend JOHN 15:15

By faith I have been justified by the Blood of Jesus [given peace with God] ROMANS 5:1, 9 (Add verse 9!)

I am united with the Lord and one with Him in spirit 1 CORINTHIANS 6:17

I have been bought with a price; I belong to God 1 CORINTHIANS 6:20

I am a member of Christ’s Body 1 CORINTHIANS 12:27

I am a saint EPHESIANS 1:1

I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit EPHESIANS 2:18

I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins COLOSSIANS 1:14

I am complete in Christ COLOSSIANS 2:10

NIV: in Christ you have been brought to fullness

CBL Greek-English Dictionary: The idea of totality or fullness is always present. Thus, the word means “to fill something completely” or “to complete a measure”

ALL of these are “second blank” answers.

Because, we are accepted” in Christ.

Whatever someone may have told you before — whatever the devil may have told you before … you are NOT rejected — you are accepted in Christ

NOT because of what you have done.

But because of what HE has done for us.

[Go back over bulletin list saying, “He has … “]

Jesus did all this [and more! that we will look at later] because He loves us.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible:

From the J.B. Phillip’s translation:

1 John 3:1–3 (Phillips) Consider the incredible love that the Father [the One who gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, John 3:16] has shown us in allowing us to be called “the children of God”—and that is not just what we are called, but what we are. Our heredity on the Godward side is no mere figure of speech—which explains why the world will no more recognise us than it recognised Christ. Oh, dear children of mine (forgive the affection of an old man!), have you realised it? Here and now we are God's children. We don't know what we shall become in the future. We only know that, if reality were to break through, we should reflect His likeness, for we should see Him as he really is! Everyone who has at heart a hope like that keeps himself pure, for he knows how pure Christ is.

Walk in Acceptance

I want to encourage us to walk in that love.

Please don’t stand on the outside looking in.

Respond to the invitation of the Holy Spirit.

We probably don’t have too much difficulty hearing and understanding our acceptance IN JESUS.

But are we LIVING it?

Who do we believe concerning your identity?

If we are holding onto past hurtful words spoken by others, the devil or even ourselves — let Go!

As the Worship Team comes …

I want to open the altar for those who need to let go of words spoken into your life that have defined an identity that is at odds with who we are IN CHRIST.

For deliverance from words:

Spoken by others

Spoken by the devil

Spoken by yourself

If you identify yourself

as rejected — come.

an outsider - come.

less - come.

Come accept the acceptance that is IN CHRIST.

PLEASE understand…

These promises, this acceptance, is ONLY for those who are IN CHRIST.

If you have not repented of your sins and surrendered to Jesus as the Lord of your life…

Come and do that.

Come and receive all that He wants to pour into your life.

The love, the acceptance, the security, the significance.