Our Covenant Advantage (Part 3): Our New Covenant Identity
Key Scriptures: Ephesians1:3-14One of the most profound questions anyone can ask is, “Who are you?” Most people answer this question by mentioning their name, occupation, educational background, achievements, family background, nationality, or social status. Others define themselves by their successes or failures, strengths or weaknesses, possessions or insecurities. Some even describe themselves according to what others have said about them.
However, none of these truly answers the question of identity. They merely describe aspects of their lives rather than who they really are.
Identity is the way we perceive ourselves and the lens through which we interpret our lives. It answers the question, “Who am I?” Every decision we make, every relationship we build, how we spend our time and resources, how we treat others, and even how we relate with God all flow from our understanding of who we believe we are.
A person’s identity shapes every area of his or her life. If someone believes they are valuable, they will live differently from someone who believes they are worthless. Likewise, if a believer understands who they are in Christ, they will naturally live in a way that reflects that identity.
A good illustration of this is found in the Apostle Paul. Whenever Paul introduced himself in his letters, he did not begin by talking about his past, his education, or his accomplishments. Instead, he confidently declared, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). Paul understood exactly who he was because he understood who God had made him to be. There was no confusion or uncertainty in his identity. His confidence came from God’s calling, not from human opinion.
Paul also addressed the believers in Rome by reminding them of their identity. He described them as those who are loved by God, called to be saints, and belonging to Jesus Christ. Before discussing their conduct, Paul first established their identity because right living always flows from right believing.
The New Testament contains hundreds of statements describing the believer’s identity in Christ. Before considering these truths, we must understand one foundational principle: our identity is entirely based on our union with Christ.
The greatest answer to the question, “Who am I?”, is simply this: “I am in Christ.” Every spiritual blessing we possess flows from this reality. In Christ we are forgiven, justified, holy, accepted, redeemed, cleansed, loved, made alive with God, and separated from the power of sin.
Ephesians 1:13 teaches that when we heard the gospel and believed in Christ, God placed us in Christ. This means that God now identifies us with His Son. As far as God is concerned, the believer’s life is hidden in Christ. God loves us with the same love He has for His Son because we are united with Him.
Just as a baby in the womb shares everything from its mother, every believer shares in all the blessings that belong to Christ because we are united with Him. Our lives are completely connected to His life.
Throughout the New Testament, the phrase “in Christ” appears over one hundred times. It reminds us that we are no longer defined by our past but by our relationship with Jesus Christ. Therefore, we can boldly declare:
boldly declare:
Who we are in the Covenant:
* I am a new creation.
* I have been born again.
* I am forgiven.
* I have been declared righteous.
* I am God’s child.
* I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
* I belong to Christ.
These are not promises we are trying to attain; they are realities that have already been given to every believer.
Another important truth is that our identity is God’s gift, not our achievement. It has nothing to do with our personal performance. According to 1 Corinthians 1:30, it is by God’s doing that we are in Christ Jesus. God gave us this identity entirely by His grace.
The world encourages people to build their identity through titles, careers, achievements, possessions, or public recognition. Under the New Covenant, however, God works differently. He first gives us an identity, then calls us to live consistently with it. We do not strive to become God’s children but we live holy lives because we already are His children. We do not become temples of the Holy Spirit by our good works but we live pure lives because we already are His temple.
Our identity must also become a settled conviction in our hearts. Merely hearing biblical truths is not enough. Unless we truly believe what God says about us, these truths will have little practical effect. We may know intellectually that we are loved, chosen, accepted, righteous, and holy, but unless our hearts embrace these realities, we will continue living beneath our true identity.
This is not simply positive thinking or self-esteem. Biblical identity shifts our focus away from ourselves and places it firmly on Christ. It is not about convincing ourselves that we are special; it is about believing what God has already declared to be true because of Jesus Christ.
As believers in Christ, we have been chosen, loved, and accepted by God (Ephesians 1). We have been redeemed through Christ’s blood and forgiven of all our sins. We have been declared righteous before God, not because of our works, but because Christ’s righteousness has been credited to us. According to Romans 5:17, we have received the gift of righteousness and now reign in life through Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, we have been born of God and have received His divine nature. We are no longer slaves to sin but participants in God’s life. We are God’s workmanship, created for good works, ministers of reconciliation, ambassadors for Christ, and co-workers with God. Because these things are true of us, we now have both the privilege and the responsibility of living in a manner worthy of our calling.
In conclusion, the New Covenant gives every believer a completely new identity. Our identity is no longer determined by our past, our failures, our emotions, or the opinions of others. It is determined solely by our union with Christ. Therefore, the most accurate answer to the question, “Who are you?” is not our profession, achievements, or background. It is simply this:
I am in Christ. I am chosen, loved, accepted, forgiven, redeemed, righteous, and a child of God. My identity is found completely in Him, and I am called to live each day according to that glorious reality.
inevitable, defeat is not. The believer’s confidence rests in Christ’s victory.