Grace 101
Did you ever notice how confident Jesus was about His identity? He doesn’t try to “find Himself” or seek to assert His individuality. The youngest report we have of Him after His birth is when He was twelve. At that age He told His parents that He had a call to do His “Father’s business.” It appears that His identity was secure even then.
And consider how often Jesus uses the phrase, “I am. . .” “I am the Way. I am the Door. I am the Good Shepherd. I am the Resurrection.” He understood who He was.
Of course, when Moses asked for the name of God, the Lord told him simply, “I AM.” That was enough and the Jews called the Lord, “He who is,” from that time on.
The “I am” statement is powerful. Not only does it communicate our identity to others, it establishes it in our own hearts and minds. Believers should use it often as we face the accusations of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
I have shared this somewhere before, but this list of statements from Freedom in Christ Ministries is very good. I have included the link to their website, which has a lot more information on identity. You can get this list from them as a printed poster, but just read these through—out loud— regularly to remind yourself who you are now. (The formatting is better on their site.)
http://www.ficm.org/index.php?command=textwhoamiinchrist
I am accepted…
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John 1:12 | I am God’s child. |
John 15:15 | As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ. |
Romans 5:1 | I have been justified. |
1 Corinthians 6:17 | I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit. |
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 | I have been bought with a price and I belong to God. |
1 Corinthians 12:27 | I am a member of Christ’s body. |
Ephesians 1:3-8 | I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child. |
Colossians 1:13-14 | I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. |
Colossians 2:9-10 | I am complete in Christ. |
Hebrews 4:14-16 | I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ. |
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I am secure…
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Romans 8:1-2 | I am free from condemnation. |
Romans 8:28 | I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. |
Romans 8:31-39 | I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God. |
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 | I have been established, anointed and sealed by God. |
Colossians 3:1-4 | I am hidden with Christ in God. |
Philippians 1:6 | I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me. |
Philippians 3:20 | I am a citizen of heaven. |
2 Timothy 1:7 | I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. |
1 John 5:18 | I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me. |
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I am significant…
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John 15:5 | I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life. |
John 15:16 | I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. |
1 Corinthians 3:16 | I am God’s temple. |
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 | I am a minister of reconciliation for God. |
Ephesians 2:6 | I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm. |
Ephesians 2:10 | I am God’s workmanship. |
Ephesians 3:12 | I may approach God with freedom and confidence. |
Philippians 4:13 | I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. |
I really enjoyed this, I’m going to print it out as a reference. Thank you!
Thanks for this… I have been seeking to re-establish my identity in Christ and let him validate me, rather than those around me… it’s been a journey. It’s hard to remove the negative talk some days, but this list is a wonderful reminder that should be meditated on daily.