Did you know that every decision in your life is based on who you think you are? In psychology, identity is the qualities, beliefs, personality, looks and/or expressions that make a person (self-identity) or group (cultural identity). The process of identity can be creative or destructive.
If you believe that you are a person of integrity, then chances are that your choices will reflect that belief. If you believe that you are worthless, than unfortunately many of your choices will probably reflect that belief as well. But what if I were to show you how you can exchange your identity, as an imperfect human, for the perfection of God, Himself? Would you be interested in learning more?
The book of Ephesians is one of my favorite books in the Bible. I mean, who doesn't love to get compliments? Well, starting with chapter 1 God shows us a beautiful reminder of who we are in Christ. It is a running description of all that we are in Christ, and all that He has done for us through Christ. In fact, chapters 1-3 all point to this eternal truth.
But why is there such an emphasis on our identity in Christ? I think it is vital for us to remember who we, because who we are determines what we do. Our identity “in Christ” affects everything. We have been bought at the cost of Jesus’ life. I feel it is impossible to live the Christian life if we are still clinging to our own identity. Becoming a Christ-follower means we daily lay down our life in exchange for a new life in Christ. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12-13)
But how do we claim this new life in Christ?
The mind of Christ stands in sharp contrast to the wisdom of man (1 Cor 2:5-6).
The mind of Christ involves wisdom from God, once hidden but now revealed (verse 7).
The mind of Christ is given to believers through the Spirit of God (verses 10-12).
The mind of Christ cannot be understood by those without the Spirit (verse 14).
The mind of Christ gives believers discernment in spiritual matters (verse 15.)
Scripture says clearly that to achieve victory over your mind it must be continually renewed by the power of God’s word. Romans 12:2 states “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.” God puts conforming to the world and being transformed by the renewal of your mind in opposition. There is no grey area. Your mind is either being won for the kingdom of God or lost to the world. You are either thinking pleasing thoughts to God or not. You are either experiencing the abundant life Jesus made available to you or not.
If you struggle with being double-minded, and you can admit it, you are almost there. Read and study the Word. The Word produces faith. The more you study, the more faith that you will have. The old self will fall away if you don’t cling to it. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and then follow it.
Also, bear in mind that you have an enemy, an enemy who above all else desires for you to live a life of powerlessness. He desires for us to remain apathetic to our true identity and power, to remain enamored with the culture of the world, to desire the temporary while discarding the permanent. Our weapon against this attack is the Word of God. If the enemy can keep us oblivious from our identity in Christ, we will never progress past the starting gate of our salvation. Remember, Christ has already done the heavy lifting, it is up to us to embrace this new truth.
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
So let's discuss our inheritance in Jesus!
The words in English “we have obtained an inheritance” is one word. It is passive in voice meaning that our obtaining of any inheritance is the work of Father not by us. We did not actively obtain anything by our work. We have obtained, passive voice, an inheritance. It was given and given by our Father, not by anything in our own strength. But, we must claim it. That is our part in this great exchange, if we fail to claim our inheritance it remains powerless to help us as we navigate through life. Here are just a few of the blessings of our inheritance in Christ:
1. I am blessed.
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” Ephesians 1:3
2. I am loved.
“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” Ephesians 1:4
3. I am chosen.
“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” Ephesians 1:4
4. I am holy.
“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” Ephesians 1:4
5. I am adopted.
“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” Ephesians 1:5
6. I am redeemed.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7 NIV
7. I am forgiven.
“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” Ephesians 1:7
8. I am included.
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,” Ephesians 1:13 NIV
9. I am marked.
“When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13–14 NIV
10. I am called.
“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.” Ephesians 1:18
For a long time, the idea of renewing my mind felt exhausting. Honestly, reading the Bible was incredibly boring for me. But I discovered that the Bible is only as life-giving to me as I am willing to be transformed by it. Until we actually sit down, open our hearts, and allow ourselves to be transformed by God’s word, we will never experience the life that comes from victory in our minds. The thoughts that plague you—the thoughts that rob you of freedom, peace, and joy—will never leave you until you allow your mind to be renewed by God’s word.
Begin every day by setting your mind on the wonderful character of the living God and your new identity in Christ. If you will allow God’s word to be the foundation of your thought life by spending your first moments meditating on Scripture, the battle for your mind will be won for the kingdom. The negative thoughts and insecurities you face daily will flee from you in the glorious light of God’s truth. That’s God’s promise for you today and every day.
My prayer is that you will take time today to meditate on Scripture and experience the transformative power of grace over your thoughts as you gain the mind of Christ.
