Identity: Who I Am In Christ

1 Peter 2:9–10 NIV

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

GOD’S VIEW OF ME: In Christ...

1. In Christ, I am completely accepted.

1 Peter 2:9 The Living Bible

But you are not like that, for you have been chosen by God himself—you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God’s very own—all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

Because God chose me before everything.

Ephesians 1:4 NIV

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

Because Jesus made me acceptable.

Titus 3:7 CEV

Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life.

2. In Christ, I am extremely valuable.

1 Peter 2:9 NIV

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Deuteronomy 7:6 NIV

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

Isaiah 43:4 GNB

I will give up whole nations to save your life, because you are precious to me and because I love you and give you honour.

I’m valuable because God is my father.

Luke 12:24 NLT

Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!

I’m valuable because Jesus gave His life for me.

1 Corinthians 7:23 The Living Bible

You have been bought and paid for by Christ, so you belong to him—be free now from all these earthly prides and fears.

3. In Christ, I am eternally loved.

Deuteronomy 7:6 NLT

For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.

1 Peter 2:10 NLT

“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”

Jeremiah 31:3 NLT

Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.

I am loved because God is love.

Psalm 100:5 GNB

The Lord is good; his love is eternal and his faithfulness lasts for ever.

4. In Christ, I am totally forgiven.

1 Peter 2:10 GNB

At one time you were not God’s people, but now you are his people; at one time you did not know God’s mercy, but now you have received his mercy.

Romans 8:1 NLT

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

I am totally forgiven because it’s God’s nature to forgive

Isaiah 43:25 GNB

And yet, I am the God who forgives your sins, and I do this because of who I am. I will not hold your sins against you.

I am totally forgiven because Jesus paid the price for my sins.

Ephesians 1:7 GNB

For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God,

5. In Christ, I am fully capable.

1 Peter 2:9 NCV

But you are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

2 Corinthians 3:5–6 GNB

There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God; it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant, which consists not of a written law but of the Spirit. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

I am fully capable to handle anyting because Christ lives in me.

Philippians 4:13 NLT

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

How should my identity affect how I act?

Rom. 15:7, 1 Pet. 2:17, Col. 3:12, Eph. 4:32, Heb. 13:6