Facebook PagePastor’s Newsletter Article
This is the latest of the articles Pastor Richert writes for the monthly church newsletter.
Our Identity in Christ
Paul emphasizes in the book of Ephesians the fact that we as believers are “in Christ” around 35 times. He wants us to understand our identity in Christ. Prior to becoming believers, we were “In Adam.” That means we were living as slaves to sin under the control of the devil, facing God’s judgment.
Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 15:22 that all die in Adam. But when we trusted Christ for our salvation, we became new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). Now we live as servants of Christ under the control of the Holy Spirit Who indwells us. He helps us to see ourselves the way Christ sees us instead of the way Satan deceives us into thinking about ourselves.
Satan says we are sinners because we sin. Christ says we are saints who sin. Satan says our identity comes from what we have done. Christ says our identity comes from what he has done for us. Satan says our identity comes from what people say about us. Christ says our identity comes from what God says about us.
In Ephesians, Paul says God chose us, redeemed us, adopted us, and sealed us in Christ (vv. 1-14). God also created us in Christ for good works (2:10) and strengthens us to live for Christ (6:10). Let’s strive to live out our identity in Christ.
