Spiritual War: My True Identity (part 4 of 4)
There is often confusion between who we are in Christ (our true/new identity) and what we experience in our lives (condition/circumstance).
As Christians, God declares certain characteristics true of us—whether we experience them practically or not. These declared aspects of our identity are unconditionally made by God simply because we are His children and are true whether we are babes in Christ or mature Believers.
Just as we do not earn salvation, neither do we earn our identity.
Our experience of what is true about us is based upon our counting (reckoning) it true regardless of experience or emotion. In the ongoing process of believing and implementing what God declares about us, our spiritual transformation is experienced.
What follows is a VERY abbreviated list of what the Bible has to say about your true identity. Here are two ideas of what to do with this list of qualities. On the one hand, it is affirming to adopt everything that is on the list as yours...because, everything on this list is true of you.
On the other hand, if you have not evaluated and defined your version of the flesh, you can do that here. Once you've completed your self-inventory, then consider each of the fleshly patterns you identified against a spiritual antidote from the Scriptures below.
For example, if you identified on the flesh inventory that you struggle with self-condemnation, then you can readily see below that Romans 8:1 speaks directly about what is actually true of you.
Once you see the truth, then you set your mind like flint on what is true. Over and over and over again you focus on truth. In other words, you practice what is true.
In time, you will begin building new patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior that are more in line with truth than your current habits which are aligned with the flesh. A few resources are listed at the end of the "My True Identity" verses.
My True Identity
As a New Person IN CHRIST, I am…
I Am Accepted…
John 1:12 I am God’s child.
John 15:15 I am Christ’s friend
Rom 5:1 I have been justified.
Rom. 8:1 I am not condemned.
I Cor 6:17 I am united with the Lord and I am one spirit with Him
I Cor 6:19-20 I have been bought with a price. I belong to God.
I Cor 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.
II Cor 5:17 I am a new creation.
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ in me. He is now my life.
Eph 1:1 I am a SAINT!
Col 1:14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
Col 2:10 I am complete in Christ.
I Am Secure…
Rom 8:12 I am forever free from condemnation.
Rom 8:28 I am assured that all things work together for good.
II Cor 1:21-22 I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God
Col 3:3 I have died and my life is hidden with Christ in God.
Phil 1:6 I know the work God began in me will be perfected
Phil 3:30 I am a citizen of heaven.
II Tim 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power and love. I have a sound mind.
Heb 4:16 I can find grace and mercy in time of need.
I Am Significant…
Rom 11:16 I am holy!
John 15:1,5 I am a branch of the true vine a channel of His life.
John 15:16 I have been chosen and appointed by Christ to bear fruit.
Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Christ.
Heb 2:11 Because I am sanctified and am one with Christ, He is not ashamed to call me His
I Pet 2:9-10 I am a part of the chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of God’s own possession.
I Cor 2:16 I have been given the mind of Christ
I Cor 3:16, 6:19 I am God’s temple, His Spirit (His Life) lives in me.
II Cor 6:1 I am God’s co-worker.
Eph 2:6 I am seated with Christ in Heavenly places.
Eph 2:10 I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do His work that He planned beforehand for me to do
Eph 3:12 I may approach God with boldness and confidence.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I John 3:1 God has bestowed a great love on me and called me
I am... His Child!
Resources:
For a more complete examination of the "Flesh Inventory" and true identity in Christ, see Lifetime Guarantee by Bill Gillham.
For an in-depth study of the battle between the flesh and the Spirit in literary novel form, see No Mercy and Battle for the Round Tower by Preston Gillham. As you identify with the main character, Hank, you will observe him model for you how to build new patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior. Sometimes, a model to go by is more effective than 3 steps to follow.
I recently spoke at a workshop on this subject. As nearly as I can tell, you have to purchase the workshop audio for $.99 here: http://www.amazon.com/Workshop-The-Temptation-Self-Effort/dp/B00KF3XP7M. If you decide to listen to this resource, you can either access “The Flesh Inventory” and “My True Identity” study sheets from my blog, or you can contact me at preston@prestongillham.com and I will send you attachments via email.
A Study of the Mind by Anabel Gillham and me, Preston Gillham. You can purchase a packet of 10 online here, http://lifetimeministries.myshopify.com/products/xmind, or you can call 888-395-5433 to order a single booklet for $1.75.
I trust these lines encourage you. Thanks for reading my blog, and please pass these links along to others with your endorsement if you are comfortable doing so.