Identity: Genesis 1:27

One of the main things that has shaped the way that I live my life as a Christian is finding my identity in Christ. This is the thing that drives my life in and out of ministry. Two of the most beautiful things about being saved by Christ are the purpose that he gives you and the joy that you have in him.

So today I want you to think about your Identity, or what defines you? As we work through this, I want you to ask yourself two questions, “Who am I?” and “Why does this matter?” 

The main point of this is so that you can find your identity in Christ. Because he is the one who created you, and when he created you he made you in his image.

First things first – What does it mean to find your Identity in something?

Identity = The fact of being who or what a person or thing is.

What you put your Identity in is what will define you. Have you ever met someone new and they ask “so tell me about yourself”. They would normally say where they work, or something about their family and where they grew up.

I looked up on Google what defines your identity. It came up with these 9 things:

1. Society
2. Ethnicity
3. Media
4. Family
5. Friends
6. Culture 
7. Location
8. Self-Expression
9. Intrests

Now, Obviously, these are all things that are a part of your life, no doubt that they are going to help shape who you are. They are also all things that are good and gifts from God for us to enjoy, but if they define who you are or why you do what you do they will fail you you because these things do not have the power to define you

If you let society define who you are, you will always change because society is constantly changing.

Culture is also always changing.

If you let your interests define you, then you will be disappointed when they are no longer enjoyable, or you can’t do them.

If all of these things I have listed are wrong, and they will all come and go, then there are only two options. Either you (1) identify yourself, or (2) you find your identity in Christ.

Why Should I let Christ define me?

1. He created you in his image.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:27

2. He gives you a purpose.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” – Ephesians 5:1-4

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20

3. He saved you.

“Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”– Luke 24:44-49

4. He loves you.

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” – 1 John 4:9-10

From the beginning of the Bible to the end, we can see God identifying his creation. So, whether you believe this or not, you are defined by the God who created you. The very fact that your heart is beating in your chest is proof that you are loved by God. The difference between Christ and every one of those things that we listed earlier is that he is eternal and never changes. He will also give purpose to every aspect of your life. 

What do I do?

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” – Colossians 3:1-10

Application

1. Know and believe in who God is
2. Know who you are
3. Know what to do