Identity in Christ -- the You God sees

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

    10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:1-10 NIV)

I. We are a new creation

   A.   We are born again.

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (1Pet. 1:3, 23 NIV)

      1.   Being born again means getting a fresh start

      2.   Being born again means getting a new Father.

      3.   Being born again means becoming a whole new person.

   B.   We are recreated.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2Cor. 5:17 NIV)

      1.   A new creation? We become part of a new beginning for everything!

22 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. (Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV)

      2.   Our new created self is also in the image of God but more: “true righteousness and holiness”

   C.   We are one with Christ.

      1.   We have a union with Christ few appreciate

17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. (1Cor. 6:17 NIV)

      2.   We don’t earn or achieve this union, we learn to experience it; live it.

II.   The old has died the new has come.

   A.   No longer slaves to sin.

      1.   Once in Christ I am no longer identified as a “sinner” but as a saint.

      2.   Sin’s power over me is already broken and being broken.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2 NIV)

   B.   Alive in Christ!

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. (Eph. 2:4-5 NIV)

      1.   First hints of our own resurrection!

   C.   Seated in the Heavenlies!

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, (Eph 2:6)

      1.   Notice the past tense!

      2.   In Christ we have a privileged place in the cosmos!

III. Free to be the me God made!

   A.   Awed and humbled at God’s work in me.

      1.   A sinner saved by grace

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)

      2.   Not saved because I was a good person, but by grace (God’s action) through faith (my response).

      3.   He made me to be free from the slavery of sin, free to serve him.

   B.   God made me the way I am for a reason

10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph.2:10)

      1.   We/I are/am God’s workmanship (Not the self-made man, the God remade man!)

      2.   I will affirm the new self — the new me — that God made!

      3.   He gave me gifts, talents, visions and passions to use in His service.

   C.   It is for God’s glory that I stay faithful to who he made me to be. (v.7 in context)

...7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Eph.2:7)

      1.   God is demonstrating His Glory — the incomparable riches of His grace — in what he is doing with His people.

      2.   I honor the artist by staying true to the artists original intention. I glorify God by staying true to his design for me.

The Bottom Line:

God made you to be His Child. Glorify Him by being faithful to His work in you.