Forming a Christian Identity

WHO AM I? HOW DO I SEE MYSELF?

• These are questions about IDENTITY
• IDENTITY: the qualities, beliefs, etc., that distinguish a person

Your Identity

• Your identity is what makes you, YOU.
• What things distinguish you as you?

So What?

• What impact does your identity have on the way you live your life?

WE LIVE OUT OF OUR IDENTITIES

Christian Identity

• How is the identity of the Christian formed?

CHRISTIANS RECEIVE THEIR IDENTITY FROM WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT THEM

What this class is about

• By learning about our identity in the eyes of God, we will change the way we see ourselves and live our lives.

CREATED

God created all human beings

• “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” - Genesis 1:26

Identity Implications

• DEPENDENCY
• INHERENT VALUE

DEPENDENCY

• Everyone owes his or her being and existence to God, the Creator. As created beings we are absolutely dependent on our Creator.
• “God gives to all men life and breath and everything else.” – Acts 17:25

What does this dependency on God mean for our identity?

CREATED

• - We have a smaller view of ourselves (Isaiah 2:22)
• - We see all the ways we are provided for in our lives as ultimately coming from God (James 1:7)
• - We are prompted to humbly obey God as our Creator (Psalm 100:3)

REFLECT

INHERENT VALUE

• Humans are made in the image of God, and therefore are like God and represent him.
• “This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man in the likeness of God” – Genesis 5:1

What does being made in the image of God mean for our identity?

CREATED

• - We have unconditional, inherent value (Gen 9:6)
• - There is a real basis for universal human dignity (James 3:9)
• - We belong to God (Mark 12:13-17)

REFLECTION

What now?

FALLEN

FALLEN

• All people are fallen as a result of sin
• “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” - Romans 3:23

Identity Implications

• SIN NATURE
• NEED FOR GRACE

SIN NATURE

• All people are sinful in their heart.
• “For out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.” - Matthew 15:19

What does this sin nature mean for our identity?

FALLEN

• - We are unable to fully obey God (Romans 8:6-8)
• - Our heart will fall into selfishness and idolatry (2 Timothy 3:2)
• - We will struggle to have faith in God (Romans 14:23)

REFLECTION

NEED FOR GRACE

• As a result of their sin nature, all humans have an inherent need for the grace of God.
• “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him from the Father.” – John 6:65

What does your need for grace mean for your identity?

FALLEN

• - Our actions do nothing to take away our sins (John 6:44)
• - We look to God alone to save us (Col 2:13)
• - We recognize that we will always need grace (2 Timothy 2:1)

REFLECTION

What now?

REDEEMED

REDEEMED

• Those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are 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

Identity Implications

• SAVED BY FAITH
• JUSTIFIED

SAVED BY FAITH

• Christians are saved by and only saved by the grace of God given to us through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
• “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.…” - Ephesians 2:8

What does this being saved by faith mean for our identity?

REDEEMED

• - We don’t look to our works for assurance of salvation (Ephesians 2:8)
• - We are eternally grateful for our life with Christ because we in no way deserve it (2 Corinthians 9:15)
• - We are willing to dispense grace to others in accordance with the grace we have received (1 Peter 4:10)

REFLECTION

JUSTIFIED

• Christians are eternally justified as righteous before God because of Christ’s sacrifice.
• “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law” - Romans 3:28

What does being justified in Christ mean for our identity?

REDEEMED

• - We know that even when we fall into sin and repent of it, God sees us a holy (Colossians 1:22)
• - We no longer have any reason to boast of our good works (Romans 3:27)
• - We have assurance of our salvation in the righteousness found in Christ (Galatians 2:16)

REFLECTION

What now?

BEING SANCTIFIED TOWARDS GLORY

• All Christians are being sanctified towards glory
• “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept holy at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:23

IDENTITY IMPLICATIONS

• Continually Growing
• Awaiting Future Glory

CONTINUALLY GROWING

• All Christians are continually growing towards Christ-likeness by the sanctification of the Holy Spirit
• “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ…” - Ephesians 4:15

What does this continual growth mean for our identity?

BEING SANCTIFIED TOWARDS GLORY

• - We expect to see gradual growth in our relationship with God (Colossians 2:6-7)
• - We shouldn’t be surprised when we find we are not perfect (1 Timothy 1:15)
• - We understand that trials are a way to bring about spiritual growth (James 1:2)

REFLECTION

AWAITING FUTURE GLORY

• All Christians are awaiting the day when Christ comes back and they escape sin in glory
• “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” - Romans 8:18

What does awaiting on a future glory mean for our identity?

BEING SANCTIFIED TOWARD GLORY

• - We have real hope found in knowing that we will one day be without sin (Philippians 3:21)
• - We live with expectation and with an awareness of the fact that this life is not our true home (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
• - We see God as the true reigning King (Revelation 21:1)

REFLECTION

What now?