Many Christians struggle for years about who they are in Christ……what really happened the day they repented and trusted Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins.
This struggle comes in part by the spiritual attack of the enemy of our souls. Do we think that Satan will leave us alone once we belong to the Lord Jesus Christ? It is his mission to torment, confuse and lie to the brethren.
The other reason that Christians struggle with their identity in Christ is because they neglect the Word of God. God wrote everything we need to know as His children in His Word.
The Word talks about our Spiritual Armor:
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6: 11-17).
FROM COMPELLINGTRUTH.ORG
Who are we in Christ?
The changes we experience as we accept Christ are so radical we are considered “new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This “new creation” is the Greek kainos, which means “something just made which is unlike anything else in existence.” We are not cleaned out or covered over; we are as new as the world on the first day of creation. This newness manifests itself in our spiritual condition, our relationships, and our hearts.
Spiritually, in Christ we are alive for the first time. Ephesians 2:1 describes the old self as “dead in [its] trespasses and sins.” Our new self is at peace with God (Romans 5:1) and alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5). In addition, God has conformed us to His image (Romans 8:29), and releases us from condemnation (Romans 8:1).
In our relationship with God, we are no longer His enemies, we are His children. Romans 3:10-11 describes the old self: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.” Romans 5:10 describes the old self as enemies of God. Hosea 2:23 (NIV), however, predicts the change of God’s heart toward us: “I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.'” And Galatians 3:26 announces the arrival of our new position in Christ: “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”
With regard to other people, in Christ we are part of a family. Where once we were “strangers and aliens,” we are now “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). The old self is alone, but the new is part of “one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:5 NIV). Not only a part, but an irreplaceable part (1 Corinthians 12:18) of a cohesive whole (1 Corinthians 12:25-26).
Personally, our new hearts mean our character can change. We become less concerned with the world, and more concerned with living as God intends (Romans 12:2). We care more about others, and less about ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4). When we accepted Christ, God automatically took us as His children and established us into the church family. Our heart changes, however, are gradual (2 Corinthians 3:18). We possess a new heart (Ezekiel 11:19), but we need to intentionally train it (2 Peter 1:5-2). This is only possible because the new self is released from sin and death and free to follow God (Romans 8:6-8).
In Christ we are a new creation, and this newness affects every area of our lives. For the first time, we become spiritually alive. We go from being God’s enemies to His children. We have a new life as a part of a new family. And we are free to follow God and care about others. In Christ, we become more like Christ. [1]- source
Watch Dr. Charles Stanley explain your FREEDOM IN CHRIST:
It is the prayer of my heart that this article would help even one of God’s children to understand who Jesus really is, and who they are in Him.
Blessings in Christ
MARANATHA!