Knowing who we are in Christ takes a lifetime to explore. Here are just a few of the things the Bible tells us we are in Christ:
-
We are complete in Christ. (Col 2:10) We don’t need anything else; all the fulness of God dwells in Christ and Christ dwells in us. When we begin to grasp this truth, it helps us to let go of the manipulation and control we feel we need to practise to get by in life. We don’t need to always be scheming, plotting and planning so that people do what we want, so that we can get our own way and everything we want. We are complete in Christ. He’s enough for us. He’s sufficient to get us through life. We don’t need ‘Christ and…’ He’s enough.
-
We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:10) God has purpose for our lives, things for us to do which can please Him and glorify Him. Instead of feeling aimless and that life has no point, we can tackle everything with joy, because we know it’s God’s will to do these good works He has prepared in advance for us to do.
-
We are chosen and clean people, holy and set apart for God. Eph 1:4 says, ‘For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.’ This gives us a whole new sense of identity and hope. Life’s about more than despair and trouble. It’s about being chosen and loved! It’s about living life without guilt and shame, without fear and condemnation.
-
We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Rom 8:37) No situation has the power to defeat us if we learn to abide in Christ. If the power of God could raise Christ from the dead, then nothing can crush us totally. We’re on the winning side! No matter how big your mountain is today, we have a God who can move mountains. No matter how tall the walls, we have a God who can tear down walls. As Rend Co. Kids sing, ‘Your mighty name will ever be the soundtrack of our victory… Our God, You will tear down the walls. Our God, You are invincible. The strongholds crumble like castles of sand, as we shout loud our Jericho song.’ (‘Jericho Song’)
-
We are God’s children and He will provide for us: ‘my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil 4:19) When we are connected to the Maker of Heaven and Earth, we don’t have to worry about provision, about where the next mouthful will come from. Jesus urged us to live lives free from worry because God knows our needs and will provide for us. We can trust God to meet all our needs. He’s rich enough!
-
We can live in peace and freedom. Paul tells the Philippians that ‘the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil 4:19) I believe that being in Christ helps us with so many things which would seek to destroy us. There are so many mental health issues these days, but as we allow God’s peace to come into our lives, our hearts (our emotions, our feelings) and our minds (our thoughts) will be guarded in Christ Jesus. We can claim this promise, along with so many others, if we are remaining in Christ. We can live secure, guarded lives, no matter what traumas and tragedies life throws at us.