Who I am in Christ

Who I am in Christ

First-let us consider who we were before we came to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Without Christ I was a sinner, controlled by anger, lust and ride, haunted by failures and inadequacies and struggling with hurts and pain.

BUT THE BIBLE SAYS:

"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Even as a Christian-for years I focused on my inadequacies and failures. I thought of myself as weak and insufficient. I developed a habit of thinking negative thoughts about myself and my future-EVEN AS A CHRISTIAN-I didn't think of myself as who I was in CHRIST.

In time, I recognized this as a problem-and as a serious problem. I was wearing myself away by focusing on the negative. I came to a place where I learned to re-train my mind to focus on who I was in Christ and I endeavored to live a life of happiness and faith.

FIRST: Consider "What is God's will for your life?" If it God's will for us to live in defeat? Jesus said, "The devil has come to kill, steal and destroy but I am come that you may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

SECONDLY: I learned to retrain my mind. Matthew 13:12 Jesus says, "He who has will be given more, he who has not even what he has will be taken away from him." I decided to chose to have the Joy of the Lord-to chose to focus on the positive. I decided to rebuke negative thoughts and focus on what I could do instead of my past failures.

IN CHRIST WE ARE SET FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH

Don't dwell on the mistakes and failures of the past

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)

IN CHRIST WE ARE NOT DEFEATED-WE ARE CONQUERERS

Many people live their lives in defeat. They feel that life is a "no-win situation." Hey give in to hopelessness and discouragement.

But in CHRIST we are the victors.

"Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors." Romans 8:37 Then Paul states, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:8-39)

Jesus Christ defeated death, hell and the grave (Hosea 13:14, Romans 8:9-17)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

IN CHRIST WE ARE NOT WORTHLESS-WE ARE OF GREAT VALUE AS THE CHILDREN OF GOD

"Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us that we might be called the Sons of God." 1 John 3:1

IN CHRIST I AM NEVER ALONE

"yea, though I go through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me-thy rod and thy staff-they comfort me…"

Jesus said, "I will never leave thee-nor forsake thee…"

IN CHRIST I AM PART OF THE FAMILY OF GOD

I belong to the body of Christ-the church-the fellowship of the saints…

IN CHRIST I AM A SERVANT TO OTHERS

IN America we place a great value upon self-esteem and we train our children to have self-esteem in school.

We also need to learn to esteem others-and to esteem others above ourselves as Jesus did-and teach our children to do the same.

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matthew 10:25)

Jesus washed his disciples feet-and told us we are to do the same. GOSPEL OF JOHN 13. How many Christians have attended a foot-washing service? Catholic and Orthodox do it on Maunday Thursday. Some early Baptist did.

I am crucified with Christ…

And he said to them all, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

IN CHRIST I AM ACCEPTED

You have been bought with a price and you belong to God (1 CO. 6:19-20)

IN CHRIST I AM SECURE

I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7)

IN CHRIST I AM SIGNIFICANT

I am God's workmanship appointed for God works in Christ. (Ephesians 2:10)

IN CONCLUSION:

ASK : Christ into your heart as Lord and Savior. If you have any needs-bring them before the Lord in prayer.

BELIEVE: That Christ has risen from the Dead and is the Lord of Life.

RECEIVE: The Grace of God and to power of the Holy Spirit.