When we come to Christ, we are made anew. Paul writing to the church in Corinth declares: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). The believer’s identity in Christ is one of newness. The life-transformation that comes when we are joined to Christ by faith is nothing short of a new creation. The old self-seeking attitude is gone. All things are now viewed through the love of Christ.
When we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are identified with Him. Identity is defined as “the collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which a thing is definitively recognized or known.” Therefore, our new identity in Christ ought to be something recognizable to others as well as ourselves.
There is another definition of identity: “the quality or condition of being the same as something else.” As the name “Christian” refers to one being a disciple of Christ and a disciple is a person who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and committed to the mission of Jesus, it would only make sense that a believer’s life ought to reflect that of Christ.
We learn what we know about Christ, in part, through the Holy Spirit illuminating the Bible for us. Illumination speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit by which He enables the understanding of Scripture by enlightening its reader. This work of the Spirit is necessary due to the spiritual blindness of people. Think of it this way, the Spirit who inspired Scripture opens up its comprehension (see: 1 Cor 2:10-16). Another reason this work is essential is that the world, the flesh, and the devil is always at work to draw us away from the truth. Paul, writing of the effect of our enemy on the unbeliever, declares:
“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God” (2 Cor 4:4).
Unbelief prevents the transforming light of Christ from entering our lives. Then, what hope is there? Paul goes on to explain:
“For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor 4:6).
God Himself who first created natural light, now shines into our hearts to give us the spiritual light through Jesus Christ. Believer’s who are identified with Christ are to be walking billboards of our Lord and His love. We may not be perfect reflections, but as we grow in Christ, His Spirit uses us to exemplify the salvific work described in God’s Word. Since God’s Word is His preferred way to prune and cultivate a Christlike character in us, I ask the Spirit to give me the ability to understand and apply the Bible when I approach His Word.
Inasmuch as my own walk with Christ is profoundly affected by my understanding of my identity in Christ and a significant part of God’s plan to reach people with the love and message of Christ is tied my identity in Christ shinning though me, I need to make sure my understanding of who I am in Him is in alignment with His Word. I am a new creation in Christ. I am being transformed into His image.
It is a great joy to walk with our Lord with each of you. Let’s encourage one another to ask the Spirit to grant us understanding as we approach God’s Word. As we learn the truth of who we are in Him, I pray we will find ourselves increasingly confident in our walk with Christ as well as growing in our witness of His salvific work to others. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!