WHO AM I? Know Your Identity In Christ & Reward As A Christian

Some prayers are dangerous.

At the start of my last year in high school, I made a simple prayer that turned my life upside down.

“I surrender everything to you. Do with my life as you please.” I meant it. And God heard me.

Because I performed well in class, I took great pride in my studies and my teachers had high hopes in me. In fact, I hoped to become the best student in the country and apply for a scholarship to study at Harvard or Oxford. Unknown to me, I was proud and self-ambitious. And God was about to fix me.

In my final year in high school before the end of the first term, I felt a strong sense of calling to quit school and go into full-time ministry. When I got home for the holiday, I informed my parents I was not going back for the second term!

I remember the shock on their face . Mum told me I was being deceived by demons and promised to pray for me.

What was I thinking?

The last weekend of that holiday, I reconsidered my stand. I told God, “I sense your call but scripture says, “Obey your parents.” My parents are insisting I go back to school. Speak to them too or else I have to do as they say.”

In my mind, I thought God would create a circumstance that will stop me from going back to school, like collapsing the school or not getting tuition, but He didn’t.

The following week I found myself back in school. But something was different. I had lost my desire to study. I attended classes and read my Bible for the rest of the year and my performance fell below everyone’s expectations.

Where would I be if I had quit school then? What would my relationship with my family be now?

I was young, immature but searching. All I needed was a little guidance and mentoring to understand what I was sensing about my life. Unfortunately, some people take sharp turns or detours in life that lead to pain, frustration and regret.

What Is Identity?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines identity as “the set of qualities and beliefs that make one person or group different from others.’

When a person goes through a period of confusion and uncertainty about who they are, their values, passions, interests and purpose in the world, they’ve hit an identity crisis for young people or middle life crisis for adults. This can lead to joining wrong friends, giving in to negative peer pressure, depression, abuse of drugs and in unfortunate circumstances suicide.

Christians too go through an identity crisis about who they are in Christ and their faith in God. In times of trials and persecution, the temptation to give up and return to the world is greater. The questions that ring in their mind during this time are;

– Who am I?

– What is my purpose and assignment in life? Click here for the answer!

– How can I be victorious in my Christian life?

– Does God care about every detail of my life?

– Why do I feel awkward among nonbelievers?

If they survive this period of questioning, doubting and searching, they’ll be stronger in their walk with God. But if they give up, they’ll lose focus on Christ and may fall away.

Your Identity As A Human Being

Before we get into our identity in Christ, let us talk a little about our identity as human beings. It’s very sad that the evolution theory categorizes human beings among animals and it’s no wonder some people behave like unthinking animals.

#1: You’re Unique

The DNA, eye, tongue print, set of teeth, and fingerprints are unique for every one of the billions of people who have ever existed, who live today and those yet to be born. Our personality, attitude, experiences and perspective are different, too.

You’re unique and original among the eight billion people on planet earth.

There never was, nor is and never will be another you. That’s the awesome work of God who took special care to knit you in your mother’s womb and plan the days of your life will be. Even the most seemingly useless, homeless and unplanned person you know is neither an accident nor damaged goods. They’re special too, because God created them. (Read Psalms 139:13-16) For this reason, we should never despise anyone.

#2: God Made You In His Image And Likeness

Human beings are nothing like animals or any other creature in the universe.

First, God spoke animals into being but formed human beings with His hands. Second, animals never received the breath of God in their nostrils. And third, though our bodies as Christians will die and rot, they’ll resurrect as glorified bodies.

God made us in His image and likeness. (Genesis 1:26). That means we can relate with God (spiritual), we can think and reason (rational), we can choose to be moral or immoral (values) and we can respond to God and others as we please. And because we have the free will to choose, we’re responsible for our actions and we harvest the consequences of those actions, whether positive or negative.

#3: You Are a Sinner Without Christ

Sin corrupted the image and likeness of God in us when man disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. Because of that fall, we’re born with the sinful nature.

In other words, we’re sinners by default.

If you asked people whether they’re good, most would say they’re good perhaps because their sins are smaller compared to others. For instance, a man who lusts for women in his heart may think they’re better than the prostitute on the street. But if people knew the holiness of God, they’d not regard their little and secret sins as negligible.

The standard of God is holiness or no holiness at all. “For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.” (James 2:10) We can’t change our status as sinners without the Saviour.

The Identity Of A Christian

In Christ, the Holy Spirit gives us new desires, purpose and meaning.

Our identity as habitual, helpless and hopeless sinners is uprooted and we can now live in our new identity as sons, students, servants, soldiers, stewards, saints and sojourners in Christ.

People go to church for all kinds of reasons. Sadly, some who attend and serve in the church and think they’re Christians may not be Christians. And sometimes those who are Christians are not growing to spiritual maturity because they don’t know who God is and who they are in Christ.

Let’s make sure we’re on the same page about who is a Christian. How does one become a Christian?

a) The Spirit convicts a person of their separation from God and eternal doom because of their sin as they hear the TRUE GOSPEL. (Click on the link to learn more about the true gospel)

b) They get to understand God’s love and how He gave His Son Jesus Christ to shed His blood and die on the cross.

c) They repent. They’re sorry for their sins, confess their sins before God and turn away from them. Christ’s blood washes away their sins.

d) They commit their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ with their mouth and the Holy Spirit begins to dwell in them.

e) They get baptized and begin depending on the grace, strength and power of God to love and obey Him in every aspect of their lives!

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

Once you become a Christian, you take on the following identity in Christ:

#1: You’re a SON or DAUGHTER in God’s family

You’re loved and valuable in God’s sight. He says to you,

“You’re the apple of my eye. I love you and have wonderful plans for your life.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (Paraphrase)

“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”  For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.  And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” Romans 8:15-18 NLT

The reward is sonship: you become part of God’s family, the body of Christ and co-heir with Christ!

#2: You’re A STUDENT Who Pursues Knowledge Of God and your identity in Christ

You study, meditate and obey the Word of God.

Through God’s gift of salvation, Christ has given you a sound and clean mind. 1 Corinthians 2:16

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

Joshua 1:8 NLT

Reward: You acquire divine wisdom and start to become like your teacher Jesus Christ in your thinking, conversation and conduct.

#3: You’re A SERVANT In God’s Kingdom

You use your natural talents, spiritual gifts and acquired skills to serve others.

Like Jesus who came to serve rather than to be served, you too are a solution to the problems of your family, church and community. You’re faithful in doing what your Master has entrusted to you. Matthew 25:23.

…Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:26-28 NLT

Reward: Transformed lives through your service. And a reward in heaven.

#4: You’re A SOLDIER In God’s Army

You fight god’s battles in the spirit. Ephesians 6:12.

Christ has given you power and authority over Satan and his demons. With God in you and by your side, you’re not afraid of Satan or people. You courageously fight the good fight of faith. Your task is to obey your Commanding Officer Jesus Christ.

“Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.”

2 Timothy 2:4 NLT

Reward: Win victories for the kingdom of God on earth. Recognition and reward in heaven.

#5: You’re A STEWARD Who Manages God’s Resources

You own nothing in this world.

Your body, time, talents, money and gifts belong to God and you use them for His honour and glory. You’ll give accountability on judgment day. He’ll reward you according to your deeds. Matthew 16:27.

 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

Luke 16:10 NLT

Reward: Opportunity to use your gifts and resources to serve and bless others on earth. The faithful are entrusted with more responsibilities.

#6: You’re A SAINT Chosen and Set Apart By God To Live A Holy Life

You’re the light and salt of the earth.

You have learnt to put away the acts of sinful nature and you bear the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:19-26, Ephesians 1:4.

“So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.” 

1 Peter 1:14-15 NLT

Reward: living a life of integrity and example on earth. In heaven, the saints will be dressed in white and given a crown.

#7: You’re A SOJOURNER Or Pilgrim On Earth.

Your citizenship and home is heaven.

You’re an ambassador of God’s kingdom who carries out His assignments on earth until the day He calls you home. 2 Corinthians 5:20.

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.”

Philippians 3:20-21 NLT

Reward: Living a godly and impactful life on earth. Representing God’s kingdom. Look forward to a grand reception in heaven and spend eternity with God.

That’s your identity in Christ!

Thank you for reading this article. I welcome your comments and questions – as iron sharpens iron, let’s sharpen each other.

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This is an excerpt from the upcoming book RIPE Christian Discipleship by Hirwa G. Israel.