Embracing Your True Identity

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you know the temptation to sin is just around the corner, and you can feel that internal battle starting to brew? You’re standing there, weighing the choice, and it’s like everything inside of you is screaming to do the wrong thing. But here's a thought: What if instead of thinking, “I’ll try harder to be better next time,” you simply said to yourself, “That’s not who I am”?

When we accept Christ, we’re not just sinners trying to improve ourselves; we are made new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). This isn’t something we strive for—it’s something we step into right now. We are already righteous, holy, and blameless in God’s eyes because of Christ’s finished work on the cross. We don’t need to earn it or strive for it; it's already who we are in Him. Our actions should naturally reflect that truth. As we live out our identity in Christ, our choices, behaviors, and reactions begin to align with who we’ve already been made to be. It's about allowing the truth of who we are to shape how we live.

It is important to mention that that we can only do this through the power of Holy Spirit. It is through His Spirit that we are empowered to live out our true identity in Christ. With Him, we are strengthened and equipped to walk in the fullness of who we are.

Now, the process of sanctification plays a crucial role in our walk with God. We are constantly being refined and shaped to reflect more of His image as we grow in our relationship with Him. However, here’s the key: Our sanctification doesn’t change our identity. God isn’t waiting for us to work towards holiness before He accepts us. He sees us as holy because of Jesus. The process of sanctification isn’t about trying to be something we’re not; it’s about living out the truth of who we already are. It’s about stepping into our God-given identity and rejecting anything that doesn’t align with it.

So when we face temptation, it’s not about trying harder to resist or wondering if we’re “good enough.” Instead, we can confidently say, That’s not who I am. Temptation no longer defines us; sin no longer has a claim on us. When we’re tempted to sin, we don’t need to ask ourselves, “Can I resist this?” We can stand firm in the truth that this is not who we are anymore. We are children of God, clothed in His righteousness, and we can walk confidently in that because His Spirit empowers us to do so.

This doesn’t mean that we’ll never sin again. Sanctification is a journey, and we’re constantly being transformed. But the more we live from the truth of who we already are in Christ, the less power sin holds over us. We’re not striving to "earn" our holiness. We’re simply growing into the full realization of who we already are—righteous, loved, and accepted, with Holy Spirit guiding and transforming us along the way.

And here’s the best part: Living from this truth brings freedom. We’re not fighting a constant battle to measure up or trying to be someone we aren’t. We’re stepping into the reality of who we already are. We don’t need to prove ourselves to God; He already sees us as His beloved children. We don’t need to fight sin from a place of weakness; we fight from a place of victory in Christ. We’re no longer bound by the lies of the enemy. We are righteous, and we are empowered to live out the truth of our identity.

So, when temptation knocks on your door, and you feel that internal tug to sin, remember: That’s not who I am. Instead of striving, struggling, and fighting for something you’ve already been given, stand firm in the truth that you are already holy, righteous, and dearly loved. Step into that reality, relying on Holy Spirit to guide and empower you, and watch how it transforms your life. No more pretending to be someone you’re not. Just be who God says you are.

In Christ, we already are who He says we are. So, let’s live like it. Let’s live from the truth of who we already are in Him, walking confidently in the freedom He’s given us. No more striving. Just being.

Here’s a reminder of who God says we are in His Word. Let these truths sink in as you walk confidently in the reality of your identity in Christ:

1. A New Creation – 2 Corinthians 5:17"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

2. Righteous and Holy – Ephesians 4:24"and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

3. Blameless – Ephesians 1:4"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight."

4. A Child of God – 1 John 3:1"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

5. Redeemed and Forgiven – Colossians 1:14"in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

6. Loved – Romans 8:37-39"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."

7. Co-heirs with Christ – Romans 8:17"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."

8. Free – John 8:36"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

9. Empowered by the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:8"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

10. More than a Conqueror – Romans 8:37"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

11. His Masterpiece – Ephesians 2:10"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

12. Chosen – 1 Peter 2:9"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

By remembering these truths, we can confidently live out our identity in Christ, stepping into the freedom and victory He has already secured for us.