Our Identity in Christ [Concluding Thoughts]…

A strong biblical self-concept is important for any believer. It helps secure the believer in his or her faith, allowing in a more obedient and full life. Richards explains “We must accept God’s view and opinion of us and reject all others. Any other view, from any other source, will produce dysfunction and pain. God says we are loved; we are righteous; we are accepted; we are anointed. More than two hundred times in the New Testament, God tells us our identity.” In order to avoid deception from the Enemy, a believer should and must know his or her identity in Christ. This biblical self-concept can only be ignored to the detriment of the believer.

NT Wright summarizes the end goal of knowing one’s biblical self-concept.

And if you fail, God’s love does not. That love can be grieved; that love can never go away. It is that love, ultimately, that is our chief weapon against temptation. To know that I am loved, love deeply, through and through, gives me the security to reject the ways of pride and fear; to reject the false alternatives of Peter Pan and Eeyore; to choose the way of self-denial which is also the way of self-affirmation, and to reject the way of self-hatred which leads not to holiness but to despair. To know this love, and to act out of answering love, is one of the central features of following Jesus.

Because it was created in the image of God, humanity was given a special role in the whole of Creation. By understanding that they are new creations through Christ Jesus, believers can put behind themselves their troubled and sinful past. By knowing that they are sheep, believers can seek out biblical leadership and turn to Jesus as the teacher and master. In doing so they become his disciples. As disciples of Christ they are adopted by God into His family, which is the Body of Christ, the universal Church. Bearing one another’s burdens and loving one another, the Church is separated and unique in the world. Understanding that they are soldiers fighting a spiritual battle against an invisible Enemy whose goal is to confuse and destroy gives the Christian a fighting chance and the privilege of rescuing unbelievers from the clutches of death. May the promise of God secure all followers of Christ in their faith.

–Bibliography–

Holy Bible, English Standard Version.  New York: American Bible Society, 2004.

Holy Bible, New International Version.  New York: International Bible Society, 1984.

Millwood, Randy.  Class lecture.  New Orleans, La. February 2007.

Mosley, Harold.  Class lecture.  New Orleans, La. October 2006.

Richards, James B.  Breaking the Cycle: The Ultimate Solution to Destructive Patterns.  Denver: Legacy Publishers International, 2003.

_____.  How to Stop the Pain.  New York: Whitaker House, 2001.

Wright, N. T.  Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship.  New York: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997.

_____.  For All God’s Worth: True Worship and the Calling of the Church.  New York: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997.

_____.  Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church.  New York: HarperOne, 2008.