Who God Says You Are

You are not defined by your performance, your possessions, or other people's opinions. You are defined by what God says about you. And He says you are blessed, chosen, holy, blameless, adopted, forgiven, loved, a masterpiece, a new creation, and you belong to His family.

This isn't just positive thinking or self-help rhetoric. It's about aligning our self-perception with the truth of who God says we are. The sermon unpacked several powerful truths from Scripture about our identity in Christ:

1. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)
2. We are chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4)
3. We are holy and blameless in God's sight (Ephesians 1:4)
4. We are adopted as God's children (Ephesians 1:5)
5. We are forgiven (Psalm 103:12)
6. We are loved with an amazing love (1 John 3:1)
7. We are God's masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)
8. We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
9. We belong to a new community (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Not only is that who are you, you have
1. I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and self- discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)
2. I have been justified. (Romans 5:1)
3. I have a purpose (Ephesians 1:9; 2:11)
4. I am sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
5. I have eternal life (1 John 5:11-13)
Imagine waking up every morning and reminding yourself of these truths. How would it change your outlook on life? How would it impact your interactions with others? The sermon challenged listeners to do just that – to start each day by declaring these truths over themselves.

The Implications of Embracing Our True Identity
Understanding and accepting what God says about us isn't just a feel-good exercise. It has profound implications for how we live our lives. The sermon outlined four key ways that embracing our true identity in Christ can transform us:

1. It frees us from seeking acceptance

When we truly believe that we are already accepted and loved by God, we no longer need to chase after the approval of others. We don't have to constantly update our resume or curate the perfect social media presence to feel worthy. Our worth is already established in Christ.

2. It frees us from constant performance

Let's think about Madonna. Despite her numerous accolades, she admitted to being driven by a fear of mediocrity, always pushing herself to prove her worth. This relentless pursuit of validation through performance is exhausting and ultimately unfulfilling.
In contrast, when we embrace our identity in Christ, we realize that the performance has already been done for us. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross secured our standing with God. We don't have to earn His love or favor – it's already freely given.

3. It frees us from tying our worth to external things

Many of us unconsciously tie our worth to our job, our relationships, our appearance, or our possessions. But what happens when we lose these things? If our identity is rooted in Christ, we can face life's changes and challenges with confidence, knowing that our true worth remains unchanged.

4. It frees us from listening to our negative self-talk. We all have an inner critic, that voice that tells us we're not good enough or that we've messed up beyond repair. But when we choose to listen to what God says about us instead of our own negative self-talk, we can silence that critic and live in the freedom and joy of our true identity.
Practical Steps to Embracing Your Identity in Christ

Understanding these truths intellectually is one thing, but how do we actually begin to live them out? Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Daily Affirmations: Start each day by declaring the truths about your identity in Christ. Say them out loud: "I am blessed, chosen, holy, blameless, adopted, forgiven, loved, a masterpiece, a new creation, and I belong to God's family."
2. Monitor Your Self-Talk: Pay attention to how you speak to yourself. When you catch negative self-talk, counter it with the truth of who God says you are.
3. Celebrate Others' Successes: Instead of comparing yourself to others, genuinely celebrate their achievements. This helps break the cycle of comparison and cultivates joy.
4. Identify Your "Worth Anchors": Reflect on what you've tied your worth to. Is it your job? Your relationships? Your achievements? Recognize these "worth anchors" and consciously remind yourself that your true worth comes from God.
5. Study Scripture: Dive deeper into the Bible passages that speak about your identity in Christ. Memorize them, meditate on them, and let them sink deep into your heart.
6. Community: Surround yourself with people who will remind you of your true identity when you forget. This is one of the beautiful aspects of being part of a church family.

The Journey to Joy
Embracing your true identity in Christ isn't a one-time event, but a lifelong journey. There will be days when the old lies seem louder than God's truth. There will be moments when comparison creeps back in. But each time we choose to believe what God says about us, we take another step towards lasting joy.

This joy isn't dependent on our circumstances or achievements. It's not diminished by our failures or setbacks. It's a deep, unshakeable confidence in who we are as children of God, loved unconditionally and valued beyond measure.

Let's remember the powerful truth at the heart of this message: You are not defined by your performance, your possessions, or other people's opinions. You are defined by what God says about you. And He says you are blessed, chosen, holy, blameless, adopted, forgiven, loved, a masterpiece, a new creation, and you belong to His family.

So today, tomorrow, and every day after, choose to embrace this truth. Let it sink deep into your heart and transform your perspective. As you do, you'll find that comparison loses its grip, lies lose their power, and true, lasting joy becomes your constant companion.
In a world that's always chasing the next big thing, you have the incredible privilege of resting in who you already are in Christ. That, dear friend, is the secret to true joy. Embrace it, live it, and watch as it transforms not just your life, but the lives of those around you.