Identity in Christ


I have been reading the apostle Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians over and over lately, because I find it supremely encouraging. One of the ways it has blessed me is the way that Paul continually reminds the reader of their identity and calling in Christ Jesus. 

I sat down with my ESV Study Bible and tried to pinpoint all the ways that Paul describes the reader of the letter who is in Christ. Here is an exhaustive list that I hope encourages you to remember your identity in Christ. 

Simply based on this letter, if you are in Christ Jesus you are:

IDENTITY IN CHRIST IN EPHESIANS
saints v.1 (holy ones, consecrated peoples)
chosen v.4
holy and blameless in God's sight v.4
adopted as sons v.5
blessed with grace v.6 which is lavished upon us v.8
redeemed, forgiven (ransomed from slavery to sin and freed from guilt through Christ's blood) v.7
reconciled along with all creation v.10
sealed with the promised Holy Spirit v.13
guaranteed heirs v.14
under Christ's headship v.22
in the body of Christ v.23
made alive with Christ 2:5
seated with God in the heavenly places (even now we share in the measure of Christ's authority) 2:6
the workmanship of God, created in Christ 2:10
doers of good works which were prepared by God 2:10
brought near to God 2:13
at peace 2:14,15
one in Christ 2:15
one in Spirit 2:18
fellow citizens with the saints 2:19 (no longer aliens, but we now have full rights as citizens)
members of the household of God 2:19
a holy temple 2:21
a dwelling place for God 2:22
able to be confident and bold in our access 3:12
God's power is at work within us 3:20
called to a worthy calling 4:1
one in body and Spirit 4:4
diversely gifted 4:7
being renewed in the spirit of our minds 4:23
(newly) created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness 4:24
ambassadors of truth 4:25
members, one of another 4:25
beloved children of God 5:1
light in the Lord, children of light 5:8-9
cleansed by Christ 5:26
nourished and cherished by Christ 5:29
members of Christ's body 5:30
in God's strength and might 6:10
armed for battle 6:13

This is quite a list! It is amazing that we are all these things in Christ Jesus!

I am encouraged most of all by the knowledge of my adoption as a son, the seal of the Holy Spirit, the fact that I am a being built into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit, the fact that I am made new and created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness, and the fact that I am a member of the body of Christ.

Follower of Christ, I hope you encouraged by these marks of identity that you hold! Let them define you more than anything!

Paul Stiver  




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