Identity in Christ By Kailyn Sarmiento

"Identity in Christ" By Kailyn Sarmiento

Satan wants to keep you in the dark about who you are in Christ because he fears what God can do through you.

Knowing who you are in Christ is a crucial step to preparing for the purpose that God has for you and the plans that He has to use you. If you have ever wanted to do God’s good work in this world but feel inadequate, incapable, like you are not good enough or strong enough, you NEED to hear the truth in the message I am going to share with you today.

I spent years after being redeemed by Christ not knowing my true identity as a child of God. The day that I learned the power of Christ in me, the fact that I am a completely new creation in Christ that transcends human capability, is the day that I went to the next level in my relationship with God. This is when I truly started living in Christ instead of in doubt, shame, and guilt. This where God took me into the future and showed me all of the amazing things He is going to do through me to spread His glory and Kingdom in this earth. And He wants to use you too. Yes, YOU! You reading this sentence right now are made with a purpose. You are made to be used by Christ in a way that surpasses your wildest dreams.

It is difficult throughout this life for us to see our true identity, who our Father originally made us to be and who Christ restores us to be. But in heaven, we will know ourselves as well as God knows us. We can learn more about who we are by looking into the “glass” or mirror. This mirror we look into is the Word of God. In the Word, we see a reflection of who we truly are, though dimly in understanding now. The more we look in the Word, the more understanding of our identity we gain. We become like men who look into the perfect law of liberty and remember our identity. Instead of reading the Bible and quickly forgetting what we learned, like looking at a clock and instantly forgetting what time it is. (I can’t be the only one who does this almost daily!)  We become doers of the work of love and Word of God. When you begin to walk in your identity, in faith and Spirit, you can be who God has made you to be and live it out on this earth.

We need to view ourselves as our Father sees us. The old man is crucified and buried. God sees us as the new man, a new creation in Christ.

Our original role on earth was a slave to sin, helpless, worthless, trapped. Now we are champions, powerful, worthy, saints. All by the blood of Christ. We are FREE. We were once beggars, now we are the royal children of God. No longer the dog waiting for crumbs to fall from the table. Christ has elevated us to be the children sitting at the table getting the bounty. Prayer life is not begging to a god who is reluctant to give. It’s all there at the table, we just have to ask Him to pass it and God freely gives. You must believe to receive. Like at the table in the tale of Peter Pan, they had to imagine and believe that the food was there. When they did, they had feasts at every meal with plenty to go around. When they didn’t believe, they were only able to see an empty table and spent the day without the food necessary to survive.

We are to believe in the work that God has done in transforming us into a new creation and put off the old man. I say put off and not out because our old selves are not in us anymore. Our old self is hanging on, trying to get back in, but can’t because on the inside we are new creations. We are to change the way we think and start seeing things from God’s perspective by looking into the Word of God and seeing ourselves as He sees us. We are to put on the new man which is freely provided for us. The new man is created to be like God in righteousness and true holiness. God has provided the means for us to live like Christ right now. The old man has been put to death. We are brand new creations!

I understand that temptation is still a very real struggle. But you don’t have a problem with sin anymore. You have been given power by Christ’s blood and name to conquer all sin in prayer. Here are some affirmations to help you remember who you truly are in Christ.

• I have authority over all the power of the devil.
• I am strong and courageous.
• I am more than a conqueror.
• I am justified and glorified in Christ.
• I am a citizen of the kingdom of God.
• I am an ambassador of the heavenly kingdom.
• I am a member of the royal family.
• I am a light in the world.
• I cast out demons and they have to obey.
• I am the bride of Christ.
• I am part of the body of Christ.

We must let the Word of God tell us who we are. Do not allow feelings to dictate your life, but submit them to the Truth. God is the Judge of all men. Who are we to question the Judge’s judgment? The height of all pride is to disagree with God. Disagreeing with God implies that we know something He doesn’t or that we’re smarter than He. When we say things like, “I am weak”; “I am a failure”; “I am unworthy”; “I am a sinner” we are disagreeing with what God thinks of us. When we say these things, we are embracing something God says is not true. That is giving strength to lies. What we’re doing is exalting our own opinion of ourselves over God’s opinion of us. It’s saying we believe our own thoughts more than God’s Words.

I recently listened to a podcast called Marked// Where’s The White Out? from Pastor Michael Todd at Transformation Church. I suggest you listen to it if you are trying to pursue God’s calling on your life! It will give you the passion and information you need to make sure you are walking in God’s purpose for your life.

Here are some pointers in the meantime:

1. You disqualify yourself from God’s calling and purpose in your life when you doubt what God says about who you are and what He will do through you.
2. You disqualify yourself by being prideful. When you do things by yourself, excluding God from the process, you are explicitly saying that you don’t need God and you can do it better on your own. The truth is, you can’t do it without God. You will fall and fail on your own. But with God, all things are possible.
3. Comparing your calling or your blessings with those of other people will disqualify you. Jealousy makes you chase something that was never meant for you. God has wonderful plans specifically for you that will surpass all of your wildest dreams.

I’ll leave you with this to give you hope and patients for the wonderful plan that God has for your life. You are valuable. You are worthy. You are loved. You are divine. You are successful.