The “Born Again” Identity

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Identity distinguishes the character and personality of an individual. If most people are asked about their identity, they would be able to describe the physical and psychological characteristics that make them who they are. Likewise, as born again believers there are characteristics that define who we are in Jesus Christ. When someone accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, they are adopted into the family of God and given an identity in Christ. God is continually molding and shaping each believer in Christ by combining the characteristics of Christ’s identity, the spiritual gifts he has provided combined with a hint of individual uniqueness to make them into the person he wants them to be. Ultimately, the purpose for this is to glorify God, serve him and proclaim the message of the Gospel.

If asked, would you be able to give a clear explanation about your identity as a Christian? God wants us to be confident and focused on who we are in him. 1 Peter 3:15 says,” …if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it”. Here’s what the Bible says about our born again identity:

We are accepted…

• John 1:12 – We are Children of God
• John 15:15 – Jesus Christ is our friend.
• Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5-7 – We are saved by grace through faith.
• Romans 5:1, Romans 8:30 – We have been justified.
• Hebrews 10:10 – We have been sanctified (made holy).
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – We have been bought with a price and belong to God.
• Colossians 1:13-14 – We have been redeemed and forgiven of all our sins.
• Hebrews 4:14-16 – Through Jesus Christ, we can directly approach God’s throne of grace with confidence in our time of need.

We are secure…

• Romans 8:1-2 – In Christ, we are no longer under condemnation.
• John 10:27-30 – We are securely in God’s hands.
• Romans 8:31-39 – We cannot ever be separated from the love of God.
• Ephesians 1:13-14 – We have received the Holy Spirit
• 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 – We have been established, anointed and sealed by God.
• 2 Timothy 1:7 – Through Christ, we have the power to overcome fear.

We are significant…

• John 15:16 – We have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
• 1 Corinthians 3:16 – We are God’s temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells.
• Ephesians 2:10 – We are God’s workmanship.
• Philippians 4:13 – We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 – We are a new creation.
• Galatians 2:20 – Our worldly identity has been crucified with Christ.

We are Christ’s Witnesses…

• Acts 1:8 – We are Christ’s witnesses locally and abroad.
• Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15 – We are called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and make disciples.
• 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 – We are ministers of reconciliation and ambassadors for Jesus Christ.
• Romans 1:16 – We are unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Matthew 25:31-40, 1 John 3:17, 1 Timothy 6:17-19 – We are to be compassionate to the poor and those facing adversity.
• Matthew 22:39 – We are to love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves.

These are some of the many scriptures that define our identity in Jesus Christ. These are the things that distinguish our character from that of the world’s. Without knowing our identity in Christ, how can we know God’s will for our lives? How can we share the Gospel? What message would we even be communicating if we’re even communicating the Gospel at all? When we are sharing the Gospel we are communicating who Jesus is and what he did for us in his death on the cross. Because of the veracity of the Gospel, it is crucial that we are aware of and confident in our identity in Christ.

Throughout our walk with Christ and as we grow in our faith, we may lose focus or struggle in areas of our lives that can shift our identity from Christ to other things. Here are some things that can be a hindrance to our born again identity:

• Poor confidence, insecurity or lack of self-esteem: When a person accepts Christ, they may still struggle with events from their past that holds them prisoner and keeps them in bondage. This directly prevents them from fully experiencing the joy of their salvation. As a result, their identity may be aligned with the negative events from their past, depression and fear. There may also be a lack of confidence in what God can do for them and through them.
• A lack of discipleship, prayer and Bible study: Simply, not communicating with God and listening to God. These are vital elements in our discipleship. God wants to hear from us through prayer. He also so wants us to listen to him and the Bible is the primary means in which God communicates with us. Anyone in a relationship with another person needs to listen and communicate in order for the relationship to work. It’s the same way in our relationship with God. He is interested in every facet of our lives and wants us to continue to grow closer to him.
• Identity placed in People: Galatians 1:10 says, “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” It’s true that people, intentionally or inadvertently idolize other people. This is also true in the church. Now, I’m not referring to having a Christian role model, leader or mentor in a healthy, balanced and Christ centered relationship. I’m referring to Christians who place their identity in and idolize other Christians who are very strong and confident or in Christians with charismatic personalities or in Christians that God has gifted with extraordinary talent. A person with a weaker identity may crave attention from such a person and may even pattern their own identity, behavior and mannerisms after the person that they have come to idolize. Additionally, in the same way identity can also be placed in spouses, children and friends. Ultimately, instead of glorifying God motivation may be focused on seeking approval, validation and affirmation from a mere person. As a result, identity is centered on pleasing and serving a person and not God. What reward is there in placing people who are limited and fallible on pedestals? The person that is the focus of your worship and adulation will be rewarded with the praise that you give them, but you will be robbed of experiencing God’s best. Worst of all, you have attempted to rob God of the glory that he truly deserves. This is unbalanced, unfocused and codependent behavior that is harmful. I believe that the person that is being idolized is just as much at fault as the person who has placed them on a pedestal if nothing is done to correct the behavior.
• Identity placed in material things: Identity placed on material possessions, money or an occupation. This does not mean that God does not want his children to have nice things. However, we should not be consumed by materialism or allow it to shape our identity. Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
• Identity placed in good works, conduct or talents/giftedness: Colossians 3:23-24 says. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” We should pray and examine ourselves to determine our motivation for doing good works. Are we doing good works/ministry to glorify God or for our own vain glory?
• Identity in only ourselves: Our lives should be Christ-centered and not self-centered and self-sufficient. Again, we must examine if our motivations are selfish or appropriately resulting from our identity in Jesus Christ.

Praise God for his grace and mercy because if we lose focus, we do not lose our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Here’s how to get back on track in rebuilding and refocusing your identity in Jesus Christ:

• Many Christians suffer from lack of confidence, poor self-esteem and poor self-image often resulting from negative experiences in their lives prior to accepting Christ. Many times, these feelings lead to depression. If this is a constant battle for a Christian, it is important to pray for God to reveal the root cause of this lack of confidence and poor self-image. These are things that Satan can use against Christians to weaken their witness for Christ. Ephesians 4:27 says, “do not give the devil a foothold”. Professional Christian counseling is a great place to start if a person can’t get beyond these feelings on their own.
• If the Christian’s identity has shifted because of sin, then there must be prayer, confession and repentance. Remember, we have direct access to God (Hebrews 4:14-16) and can go to him in prayer.
• Study the Bible or join a Bible study to learn about your identity in Christ.
• Have fellowship with Christians who can help you grow in your faith.
• Spend quality time with God each day in prayer, devotions and worship.
• Be obedient to God’s calling and will for your life. Seek him diligently to know what it is.
• Follow God’s commandment to be a witness for him.

Keeping Christ as the source of our born again identity is not about keeping a list of legalistic rules. We all struggle in our Christian walk to keep the Lord at the center of our lives. God does not want us to live solely and vicariously through people other than Jesus Christ, in things, or in good conduct/works, or in ourselves. If we do, we will never reach the full potential and achieve the things that God has planned for us. In addition, the motivation to share the Gospel will be negatively impacted because the relationship with these things may become stronger than our personal relationship with Christ. As a result, the communication of the Gospel will not be Christ centered. More than likely, the negative impact will result in missed opportunities to share Christ with the people whom God has placed in our paths.

As we glorify and serve God, may we use his word as our mirror to keep our identity in step with Christ’s. James 1:22-25 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” May God keep you centered, focused and confident in him.