Lesson Description
In this lesson, we will explore what it means to have a new identity and position in Christ. When we believe in Jesus Christ, we are not merely people trying to improve our old lives; we have become new creations in Him. We will learn to see ourselves through God’s Word rather than through our past, our feelings, or the opinions of others. Understanding our position in Christ helps us live with confidence, walk in grace, and grow in the life God has given us.
1. Our Identity Is Now Found in Christ
Key Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
When we come to Christ, our identity changes. We are no longer defined only by our past experiences, failures, mistakes, or achievements. Our new identity is established through our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Being a new creation does not mean that we immediately know everything or that every habit changes overnight. We still need to grow in understanding and allow our minds to be renewed by God’s Word.
However, our growth begins from a new position. We do not grow in order to convince God to accept us; we grow because we have received new life in Christ.
Remember: Your past may explain some of your experiences, but it does not have the final authority over your identity in Christ.
2. We Have Been Made Children of God
Key Scripture: John 1:12 (KJV)
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we receive the privilege of becoming children of God.
This relationship is more than religious activity. It means that we belong to God and can approach Him through Jesus Christ.
We do not need to live as though we are strangers trying to earn a place in God’s family. We can learn His Word, trust His promises, and grow in our understanding of what it means to belong to Him.
As we understand our relationship with God, our prayer life and our response to His Word can become rooted in confidence rather than fear.
Remember: In Christ, we have a new relationship with God. We can learn to live with the confidence that comes from belonging to Him.
3. We Are Accepted in the Beloved
Key Scripture: Ephesians 1:6 (KJV)
“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
Many people spend their lives seeking acceptance from others. When people reject them, they may begin to believe that they are worthless or unimportant.
But our acceptance before God is not determined by the changing opinions of people. It is grounded in His grace through Jesus Christ.
This does not mean that everyone will approve of us or that we will never experience rejection. It means that human rejection does not cancel what God has accomplished for us in Christ.
When we understand this truth, we can serve God without constantly trying to prove our worth.
Remember: We are accepted in Christ because of God’s grace, not because we have earned His love through our performance.
4. We Have Been Made Complete in Christ
Key Scripture: Colossians 2:10 (KJV)
“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”
Being complete in Christ means that He is sufficient for our standing before God. We do not need to add human achievements to His finished work to make ourselves acceptable to God.
This does not mean that we know everything, have nothing left to learn, or no longer need spiritual growth. Rather, our completeness in Him gives us a secure foundation from which to grow.
We can pursue wisdom, understanding, and maturity without believing that we must somehow finish what Jesus failed to accomplish.
Remember: Our growth continues, but our confidence rests in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ.
5. We Should Renew Our Thinking According to Our New Identity
Key Scripture: Romans 12:2 (KJV)
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Although our identity in Christ is established through Him, our thinking may still be influenced by old beliefs, painful experiences, fear, and wrong ideas.
This is why renewing our minds through God’s Word is important.
For example, a believer who has repeatedly failed in the past may think, “I will always be a failure.” But instead of allowing past experiences to determine the future, that believer can study what Scripture says about God’s grace, wisdom, guidance, and the new life available in Christ.
Renewing the mind involves learning to recognize thoughts that contradict God’s Word and developing a response that agrees with the truth.
Remember: We do not change God’s truth to fit our feelings; we allow His truth to reshape our thinking.
6. We Can Live from Our New Position in Christ
Key Scripture: Colossians 3:1–2 (KJV)
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Knowing our identity in Christ should influence how we live each day.
We can make decisions based on God’s wisdom rather than fear. We can treat others with love rather than allowing past hurts to control our behavior. We can serve faithfully without seeking recognition, knowing that our worth does not depend on public approval.
Our new identity is not merely a teaching to memorize. It is a truth to understand and apply in our daily lives.
We will still face challenges, and we will still need instruction. But we can face those challenges from the assurance of who we are in Christ.
Remember: We are called to live in a way that reflects the new life we have received through Jesus Christ.
Lesson Takeaway
Our identity in Christ is not built on our past, our achievements, or the opinions of others. Through Jesus Christ, we have received a new position before God. We are children of God, accepted in the Beloved, and complete in Christ.
As we study God’s Word and renew our minds, we learn to live according to the truth of our new identity.
The central truth: We do not struggle to create an identity for ourselves through our own efforts; we learn to understand and live out the identity God has given us in Christ.