This post is part of the Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge hosted by Anita Ojeda. Participants choose a category, in which to concentrate throughout the challenge and the host provides a daily writing prompt. You can find me in the Christian Living category of this year’s writing challenge link-up. Be sure to visit other posts while you’re there.
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—John 1:12
As we draw toward the end of February, I hope you’ve done the homework listed below and developed a draft of your identity statement. If you haven’t done the homework, don’t let that stop you from working out a draft.
I backed into the process, which is why my first ID statement focused on all the wrong things. I don’t want you to go through that, but you might not be dealing with all the lies I had internalized for so long. I hope you’re not!
I believe this is more than an exercise. Wouldn’t you agree that it is important for each of us to discover what we believe about our identity in Christ? Do we have a clear understanding of what that means? If not, what work must be done to clear that up? If so, how can we encourage others?
So, we’ve been at this for a few weeks now. I hope you will share your statements in the comments. Not for a critique but as an active embrace of your identity in Christ.
When I say draft, that implies you will achieve a final product. Shaking all the bugs out until you end up with something that will go up in lights saying THIS IS WHO I AM. Surprise, I don’t know if that is possible. Just remember it’s about who God says you are.
We are ever-changing beings. The Holy Spirit’s works in a believer’s life is to transform our hearts. Over time, we are transformed into the likeness of Christ. The Spirit works in us to develop love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).
As the fruit of the Spirit develops, so should our identity statement. Not because our identity changes, that is set when we are saved. Not because God loves us more or less as we grow in faith, or don’t. The identity statement changes as our understanding of and relationship with Jesus deepens. This is the life-long sanctification process of becoming more and more like Him. That is the goal.
Since I landed on the correct understanding of an identity statement, I’ve changed mine twice. First, after learning a new truth while on a retreat I added the word chosen.
“I am a dearly loved, chosen, child of God.” (John 15:16)
My second change was related to the understanding of redemption and God’s omniscience.
“I’m trusting Him for my past, present, and future.” (Galatians 2:20, Romans 3:23-25)
I encourage you to give it a try but don’t strive for perfection because God knows we aren’t. He already provided a perfect example, in Christ. He doesn’t need you to be perfect. Ask the Holy Spirit to help, He’ll bolster your courage to put your pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, and maybe even share what you come up with. I hope so.
Here’s the homework for future reference or to get your draft statement started. Each step is linked to the related post from this series where you can find more details.
- Pray for God’s direction.
- Look to God’s word for passages describing our position as a child of God.
- Combine both scripture and prayer through the practice of personalization of scripture as prayer.
- Discover the promises of God to develop confidence in Him.
- Learn about the character of God to rely on Him.
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