Who Am I In Christ? Biblical Affirmations Of Our Identity In Jesus .

APRIL 2006

SWORD N SPIRIT

www.swordnspirit.com

SPECIAL NOTE: This is quite a lengthy exposition on the believer’s identity in Christ, and it is suggested that it be printed out for personal reference. As the introduction states, we need to affirm by faith our true identity in Christ... especially during the times the enemy attempts to persuade us to the contrary.

WHO AM I IN CHRIST: BIBLICAL AFFIRMATIONS OF OUR

TRUE IDENTITY IN THE LORD

INTRODUCTION

While participating in a three day training class in preparation for service with the Vineyard Intensive Pray Ministry, we were given two extraordinary handouts to compliment our study booklet. They were entitled: “Who I Am In Christ” and “My Worth In God.”

In this issue of SWORD N SPIRIT these handouts have been modified to include full scripture references, and corresponding commentaries taken by permission from the Life Application Bible.

Many will confirm that, although Satan is a defeated foe, he remains a relentless adversary who takes no holiday or vacation days from his incessant assaults upon all those who believe in the Lord. He continually seeks to rob us of our true identity in Christ by fanning the flickering embers of past shame, guilt and fear. It is his dark hope that we will begin to “esteem” ourselves contrary to what the Father has accounted us to be in His beloved Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In resisting these adversarial assaults, believers have found that the Holy Spirit (through the Word of God) uses scriptural affirmations spoken in faithful prayerfulness to enable the believer to stand in the victory and power of Christ. In this sense, the Word of God is used much as the Lord used the Word during His temptation experience in the wilderness. There we see the Son of God, using the Word of God to resist the adversary of God. There we see not only the tension and conflict between good and evil, but the victory of light over darkness.

This issue of SWORD N SPIRIT is simply a “compilation” of biblical truth as it pertains to our identity and worth in the Lord. If the scriptures are well seasoned in faith and watered in prayer, the believer will do battle as Abba Father intended... with the Sword of His Spirit in the authority of His Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

May we all continue to “run the race” and “fight the fight” in the victory of Christ, and in the reality of His empty tomb.

I AM AN ENEMY OF THE DEVIL

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (I Peter 5:8)

Lions attack sick, young or straggling animals; they choose victims who are alone or not alert. Peter warns us to watch out for Satan, and compares him to the cunning craftiness of such an animal. When we are suffering or being persecuted, feeling alone, weak, helpless, cut off from other believers and so focused on our troubles we are prone to forget to watch out for danger; it is then that we are especially vulnerable to Satan’s attack.

During times of suffering, seek other Christians for support. Keep your eyes on Christ, and resist the devil. Pray continually affirming by faith your true identity in Christ. Battle the adversary in the power and victory of the risen Lord, as you remain adorned in the “full armor of God.” The promise of Scripture is that Satan must and will “flee” from you because he is “defeated”, “for greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” (I John 4:4b).

I AM THE SALT OF THE EARTH

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. (Matthew 5:13).

Note: If a seasoning has no flavor it has no value. If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are little value to God. If we are to much like the world, we are hindered in our usefulness and service within God’s kingdom. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. Instead we should affect others positively. Just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food, we should seek the best in others by encouraging them and loving them with the same love that Christ loves us.

I AM A LIGHT IN THE WORLD

You are the light of the world…let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14a, & 16).

If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. We hide our light by: 1. being quiet when we should speak, 2. going along with the crowd, 3. denying the light of Christ in us, 4. letting sin dim our light, 5. not explaining our light to others, 6. ignoring the needs of others. God calls us to be a beacon of light for the rest of the world to see the Light of His life in us.