As children of God, our Identity comes from knowing that we were first and foremost created in God’s own image (Gen 1v 26-27), and we have been chosen by God (Romans 8v28-30) for His purpose. We also need to understand the workings of the Holy Spirit who is within us (1 Corinthians 2v 6-16). The Bible reveals to us who we are “in Christ” e.g. a new creation, a child of God, set free, etc., (Ephesians 1:3-8) lists some of these “I am…in Christ”.
I encourage you to reflect on the list below, to reinforce your confidence as a child of God, and lead you to living a free life that is worthy of His love. Take what you have learned, and share it with someone else, so that they too can know that His love is for them.
Genesis 1:26-27 - I am made in God's image
God said, “Now we will make humans, and they will be like us. We will let them rule the fish, the birds, and all other living creatures.” So God created humans to be like himself; he made men and women.
Ephesians 2:10 - I am God's handiwork
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 - I am God's temple
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives among you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
1 Corinthians 2:12-14 - I am Spirit filled
But God has given us his Spirit. That's why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think. That's also why we can recognize the blessings that God has given us. Every word we speak was taught to us by God's Spirit, not by human wisdom. And this same Spirit helps us teach spiritual things to spiritual people. That's why only someone who has God's Spirit can understand spiritual blessings. Anyone who doesn't have God's Spirit thinks these blessings are foolish.
Ephesians 1:4-9 - In Christ I am (Holy, adopted, free)
Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God's own adopted children. God was very kind to us because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God. Christ sacrificed his life's blood to set us free, which means that our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because God was so kind to us. God has great wisdom and understanding, and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways.
Romans 8:28-30 - I am chosen
We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose, and he has always known who his chosen ones would be. He had decided to let them become like his own Son, so that his Son would be the first of many children. God then accepted the people he had already decided to choose, and he has shared his glory with them.
John 15:16 - I am a fruit bearer
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.