Originally posted on September 5, 2021 @ 12:00 am

Many people wonder if Christians need to go on a self-discovery journey. Some believe that we do not have to do anything because our gifts and talents will manifest themselves with time and maturity in Christ. Today is day 5 of the self-discovery journey; in today’s article, we will explore understanding our identity in Christ and how it is vital for self-discovery.

What is the meaning of “identity in Christ”?

Our identity in Christ means who God says we are. In the work of redemption, we were bought by the precious blood of Christ. He redeemed us from the law’s curse and restored us from darkness into his marvellous light. We are now identified with Christ, and we have taken the identity that Christ gave us through his blood.

This article allows us to explore and understand our identity, purpose and calling in God’s plan. It doesn’t matter how much we search deep and try to understand who we are; if it isn’t through the eyes of Christ, our search is shallow, and we may not truly grasp the essence of who we are.

Why is it important to know your identity in Christ?

Knowing our identity in Christ is essential because there is no absolute self-discovery without Christ. Here are some reasons we must understand who we are in Christ.

• We find it easy to understand ourselves and learn to live.
• We are mentally prepared to live life
• Knowing our identity helps us make better life decisions and necessary life changes.
• It helps to live an impactful and dedicated life.
• It helps us appreciate God’s love and reflect his passion for others.

How to know our identity in Christ

The Bible contains different names God calls each of us. He has created us to show his glory in other areas and dimensions. Apart from the names he has called all of us, we still have a unique identity that we can discover by doing these things.

Embracing God’s love and Grace

Irrespective of who you think you are or whatever you want to achieve, we must embrace God’s love and grace. The basis of our faith is love, mercy, and grace, which Christ showed us. Understanding the depth of God’s love and acceptance gives us a newfound sense of worth and identity.

Deepening our relationship with God

Developing a strong and blooming relationship with God is crucial to discovering our identity. The closer you are to God, the easier it is to understand your identity in Christ. Our relationship with God is nurtured through having an intimate fellowship with God by studying the scriptures, meditating on his word, regular praying time, and continually listening and yielding to the Holy Spirit.

Seeking God’s wisdom and guidance

The manufacturer of an item is still the one who can explain the full capacity of a product. God created us; he is the only one who knows and can reveal our total capacity. We must seek God’s guidance to help us understand our unique role in God’s creation.

Examining personal gifts and talents

God has given every one of us gifts and talents. None of us was created empty without gifts. When we examine areas of passion and natural abilities, we can gain insights into who we are and how we fit into God’s plan for our generation. Seeking God’s guidance can help us understand our spiritual gifts, which are given for the improvement of the church and the growth of God’s kingdom.
God wants us to use our talents and ability to serve him and others, engage in ministry, serve the church, and impact the world through love and service.

Embracing trials and growth

Discovering our identity in Christ is not without challenges and obstacles. The challenges are often tricky and seem impossible to overcome, but we thrive and blossom through them. We must find comfort and strength in God’s presence during this difficult time because we become better through tests and trials.
The trial period is a time of personal growth, allowing God to refine our character and build resilience. It’s incredible how God uses some of our experiences to encourage and strengthen other people in the future.

Bible Verses about our identity in Christ

The Scripture is always my go-to place to answer every question that bothers my heart. When understanding my identity and purpose, the Scripture is undoubtedly a place of self-discovery. In this article section, I’ll highlight some bible verses that tell us who we are in Christ and encourage us

We are sons (children) of God.

• Ephesians 1:4-5 (NIV): “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”
• 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.”
• Romans 8:16-17 (ESV): “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
• John 1:12 (NIV): “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
• Galatians 3:26-27 (ESV): “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
• Galatians 4:7 (NIV): “So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”

We are a new creation restored and reformed.

• 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.”

• Galatians 2:20 (NIV): “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

We have the life of Christ. 

• Colossians 3:3-4 (NIV): “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

• 1 Corinthians 6:17 (NIV): “But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.”
• Romans 6:4 (ESV): “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

You are a citizen of heaven. 

• Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV): “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

You are not of this world. 

• Romans 12:2 (ESV): “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
• 1 John 3:1 (NIV): “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

You have the fullness of Christ. 

• Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV): “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”

You are the righteousness of God.

• 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV): “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
• Ephesians 4:24 (ESV):” and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

You are created for good works.

• Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
• Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” 

You are a friend of God.

• John 15:15 (ESV): “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”

Your Body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV): “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

Finally, our identity in Christ is a vital part of our self-discovery journey. We are first a citizen of heaven. We must live our lives on earth per the guidelines of the Scripture.

Today’s Task

Welcome 😊 to day 5 of the journey to self-discovery. Today we’ll be doing a task. In the last three days, we have written down strengths and weaknesses from two perspectives. Let’s consider each of those feedbacks. Separate them into strengths and weaknesses. Think about the feedback you received from people. Do you think their opinion is valid? Give yourself 10mins of soul searching today.

If you just joined today, please read previous posts here