Have you ever wondered who you really are in Christ? Many Christians understand they’re saved, but continue living as if nothing has fundamentally changed. The truth is far more revolutionary – when you come to Jesus, He makes you an entirely new creation.
The Real Reason Jesus Died
While we often focus on the benefits of being a Christian – forgiveness, healing, prosperity, peace – there’s a deeper purpose behind Jesus’ sacrifice. As 2 Corinthians 5:15 explains: “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and rose again.”
This is the heart of the gospel – Jesus died for you so you could live for Him. Who Christ is in you makes you fit for heaven, but who you are in Christ makes you fit for earth.
What Do We Have in the New Covenant?
Under the New Covenant, believers have three things perpetually that weren’t continuously available in the Old Testament:
1. The Presence of God
“Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). We’re the only religion in the world where the God we serve lives inside us. In the Old Covenant, they had visitation; in the New Testament, we have habitation. God doesn’t just visit occasionally – He has made you His permanent home.
2. The Power of God
When the Holy Spirit came into your life, He brought all of Himself with all that God is into your heart. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that God “is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all you ask or think, according to the power that works in you.” This power isn’t something we need to get from heaven – it’s already within us.
3. The Purpose of God
The purpose of God is in you, waiting to be released. Many believers are sitting in churches waiting to be revealed, not realizing God has already equipped them with everything they need.
Living from Your Born-Again Spirit
When you become born again, it’s your spirit that’s regenerated – not your soul or body. 1 Corinthians 6:17 says, “He who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with him.”
Many Christians remain stuck in the soulish realm, judging their entire life by their feelings, emotions, and mental faculties. They never delve into the reality of living from their born-again spirit under the power of the Holy Spirit.
What Happens When We See Ourselves as God Sees Us?
Paul’s conversion story in Acts 26 provides a powerful example. Here was a man filled with hatred for Christians, actively persecuting them. Yet when Jesus encountered him, after briefly acknowledging Paul’s persecution, He immediately declared Paul’s new identity and purpose:
“Get up and stand on your feet. For this purpose I have appointed you to be a minister and a witness… to open the eyes of those that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God.”
Jesus didn’t dwell on Paul’s past. He immediately established his new identity and purpose. This wasn’t after years of Bible study or discipleship – it happened the very first day Paul encountered Jesus.
Choosing the Right Reality
What we see, feel, and hear in the physical world is real – but spiritual realities are more real. Things change when you let the things of God become more real than your natural circumstances.
Many Christians are happy for about a week after meeting Jesus, then start hearing about all the boxes they need to check. They focus on their problems rather than their identity in Christ. But God wants us to realize that He not only loves us – He likes us!
Healing Comes from Identity
When we understand who we are in Christ, healing flows naturally. We’re not trying to achieve something – we’re receiving what’s already been given. We’re not victims of circumstance but heirs by inheritance through Jesus Christ.
As one testimony shared: “My father once heard me say ‘I’m so stupid’ while doing homework. He became angrier than I’d ever seen him, saying ‘Don’t you ever say you’re stupid. You’re Scott. You’re going to change your world.’ Years later, I cried out to God feeling unworthy, and He responded similarly: ‘My Son hung between heaven and earth for six hours and shed His blood to make you worthy. I don’t want to hear any more of this.'”
Life Application
This week, I challenge you to live from your born-again spirit rather than your soul or emotions. When negative thoughts come, remind yourself who you are in Christ – not just a saved sinner, but a saint made holy through Jesus.
Ask yourself:
Am I living from my born-again spirit or am I stuck in the soulish realm of feelings and emotions?Do I see myself as God sees me, or am I still defining myself by my past mistakes?What would change if I truly believed I am a new creation with the presence, power, and purpose of God within me?
Remember, your destination is heaven, but your destiny is what happens while you’re here breathing. Don’t wait until you die to experience the fullness of what Jesus has already made available to you. As you begin to see yourself through God’s eyes, you’ll find yourself enjoying life rather than merely enduring it.