IDENTITY IS FOUND IN JESUS: Part 1

YOU were made in the image of God. Not only that but God gave you dominion over all things on this earth, even over Satan. The definition of dominion is sovereignty or control. Genesis 1:26-28 KJV "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." The issue came when sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, they handed over that dominion to Satan. When Jesus died completely as a man on the cross taking the penalty of sin upon himself even though he was completely pure (sin free), he died and went to hell taking back dominion (Revelation 1:17-18, Hebrews 2:14, Colossians 1:13, Colossians 2:15). Jesus has all authority to release those who call on his name from the penalty of sin which is death.

YOU are a son or daughter of God. Romans 8:15-17 NIV "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Please hear me, Jesus did not die on the cross because he thinks you are a horrible person. Jesus knew you were worth it, and he died to restore you back into sons and daughters. When you truly understand what it means to be a son of God and understand what your inheritance is you will live from a place of sonship and the way you live your life will change.

YOU are a conqueror and loved by Jesus! Romans 8:37-39 NIV "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." You have victory in whatever you are facing through Jesus and not only that he will walk you through it. He has given you every tool in your toolbelt you need to conquer the things this world and the enemy throws at you. You may not know all the tools in your possession yet!

YOU are righteous! Yes, that is right sin no longer has power over you and you are right with God because of the blood of Jesus. Totally clean! Romans 8:1 NIV "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." God created you with a purpose and a plan for your life. When you make Jesus the Lord of your life God sees you for exactly who he created you to be, not the version that got twisted by sin and the hurts of the world. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." God has equipped you with every weapon you need to walk in victory. Ephesians 6:14 NIV "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness." As a Christ follower we must understand all of the weapons we have been given to walk in victory in this life. You may not feel righteous, but it is by faith that you accept and believe the things God says about you. As you focus more on who God says you are the more you will start walking in it, and you will look back in 6 months and see how much you have grown into what you chose to believe by faith.

YOU have Jesus living inside you. This is the most exciting news one could have. I was always told this growing up, and sort of understood it as an adult. Honestly, I am certain I don't fully understand the power behind Christ living in me even now. The word "Christian" actually means "Little Christ like ones" and we actually start to become more like him the more we surrender our lives and yield to him. One of my favorite verses Colossians 1:27 NIV "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of Glory." This means wherever you go, you get to take Jesus with you! This should give you a peace and joy, but also confidence. The "hope of glory" means the hope of God's promise to restore us and all of creation. 2 Corinthians 13:5 "or do you not realize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?"

YOU are holy, blameless, and above reproach. Colossians 1: 22 NKJV "in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in his sight." God doesn't want us identifying with being a sinner. We are supposed to view ourselves the same way God sees us. You are dead to sin, and alive through the Spirit of Jesus that lives inside of you. It is a matter of learning how to walk as the new man and by faith believing you are who God says you are. For myself I realize it was a lot of head knowledge for a long time. It was through praying and asking God to help me understand that I am holy and righteous that helped me to believe it in my heart. If you are having a hard time accepting any of the scriptures, continue walking by faith and not feelings. Pray over it and ask God to help you believe it in your heart. This is one of the key steps to putting off your "flesh" (old nature) and putting on Christ.

Good places to read in your Bible that discuss much of what was covered are Romans 6,7, and 8 which will talk about the old sinful nature and what life is like "trying" to live holy. It is impossible!! Romans 8 talks about life empowered by the Holy Spirit and the peace you are promised. It's being sin conscious vs Spirit focused. The more you focus on sin and trying to correct it the more you fall into sin, and it leads to guilt, shame, and condemnation. All things from the enemy, Satan. God is the author and giver of life. You have freedom when you live by the Spirit. You will also have peace, love, and joy. When you focus on who God says the "new born again" you is, you will start to believe these things about yourself, and it will actually start to become the new you. Often Romans 7 is quoted to show we are still sinners, but the entire book of Romans was meant to be a single letter. Not one line being taken from the letter out of context. As you read the entire letter you see, Paul, the author was comparing the mind focused on sin vs life lived by the Spirit.

Colossians 1, 2, and 3 will explain the power of what Jesus did on the cross for you and me.

I hope this encouraged you. Keep growing and going after God, and putting on the identity He gives you. He rewards those who seek Him.