Who Are You Really?
Duane Vander Klok
Have you ever paused to consider who you truly are? Not just your surface-level identity—like your job, family role, or personality—but the essence of your being. The world tries to define us by our achievements, failures, or the opinions of others, but when you are in Christ, your identity goes much deeper.
The most important question anyone can ask is, “Who does God say I am?” His response is life-changing. It’s no longer about what you’ve done, where you’ve been, or who others say you are. Your identity is rooted in who Christ is and what He’s done for you. This truth transforms everything!
A New Creation in Christ
The Bible has a lot to say about who you are in Christ, and 2 Corinthians 5:17 makes it clear: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” The moment you receive Christ, something incredible happens. You don’t just add Christianity to your life like an accessory; you become entirely new. The old life, with all its failures, regrets, and sins, is gone. In Christ, you are given a fresh start, a new identity.
But what does it mean to be a new creation? Does it mean that you instantly change on the outside or that your circumstances suddenly shift? No, it means that on the inside, in the deepest parts of who you are, a transformation has taken place. You have been made new, and your old self no longer defines you. Galatians 2:20 captures this truth: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
When Jesus went to the cross, He took your old self with Him. In His resurrection, He brought you into a new life. You’ve been given a new identity—one that’s rooted in His love, His grace, and His power.
Living in Your New Identity
So, if this new identity is already yours, why do so many Christians struggle to live in it? The challenge is we get distracted by the world, our past, or the lies the enemy whispers, and we forget who we are in Christ. Philemon 1:6 offers a solution: “That the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
In other words, your faith becomes powerful as you recognize and declare the good things God has placed in you through Christ. You must know who you truly are and consciously remind yourself of that truth. Romans 12:2 encourages you to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This transformation begins by embracing your identity in Christ and allowing God’s Word to shape your understanding of yourself.
This means that you need to stop letting your past, your mistakes, or your fears define you. Instead, you begin to live from a place of security and strength, knowing that you are loved, chosen, and forgiven. You are no longer the sum of your failures or the product of your environment. In Christ, you are completely new.
The Power of the Cross
Your identity in Christ is directly connected to what He did for you on the cross. Romans 6:6 says, “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” The cross didn’t just deal with your sins—it dealt with your old self. Your sinful nature was put to death, and now, you are free.
This truth is liberating: Jesus didn’t die just to make you a little better; He died to make you brand new! The power of the cross transforms you completely. You no longer live under the weight of shame, guilt, or fear. Instead, you live in the freedom Christ has purchased for you. Romans 8:2 declares, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Because of the cross, you are no longer defined by your past. You are no longer in bondage to your old ways of thinking and living. You are free to think and live as the new creation God made you to be. This freedom is not just for eternity—it’s for today. You can walk in victory, no longer bound by the circumstances of this world because you are seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).
Faith and Identity
Living in this new identity requires faith. And faith, as Paul explained, becomes effective when you acknowledge every good thing that’s now yours in Christ. This isn’t about trying harder or being more religious; it is about believing what God says about you. The enemy will try to convince you that nothing has changed, that you’re still the same person you were before Christ. But James 4:7 reminds us, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Faith requires you to stand firm in who you are, even when your circumstances suggest otherwise. You may not feel like a new creation all the time, but your feelings don’t change the truth. You are who God says you are, and His Word is final.
Walking in Victory
Understanding your identity in Christ changes how you approach life. Instead of living from a place of defeat or striving for approval, you begin to live from a place of victory. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” You were created with a purpose, and God has equipped you with everything you need to fulfill it.
When you know who you are in Christ, you stop looking to the world for validation. You no longer need to earn approval from people because you are already accepted by God. This shifts everything. You live with purpose, confidence, and boldness, knowing that you are empowered by the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11).
The more you embrace your identity in Christ, the more your life will reflect His victory. You are not a victim of your circumstances; you are more than a conqueror through Him who loves you (Romans 8:37).
Who You Are in Christ
The Bible is full of declarations about who you are in Christ. Let these truths sink into your heart and renew your mind:
- You are the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
- You are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10).
- You are forgiven of all your sins (Ephesians 1:7).
- You are free from condemnation (Romans 8:1).
- You are seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).
- You are chosen, holy, and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12).
- You are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37).
- You are God’s masterpiece, created for good works (Ephesians 2:10).
These aren’t just nice ideas—they are the reality of who you are now that you are in Christ. When you begin to meditate on and believe these truths, you will see transformation in your life.
Living from a Place of Victory
In Christ, you don’t have to live under the weight of your circumstances. You are seated with Him in heavenly places, which means you are living from a place of victory, not striving for it. This changes how you face trials, how you handle pressure, and how you view yourself. You are not defeated; you are victorious.
Jesus didn’t go to the cross hoping to help you a little. He went to the cross to change everything about your life. When you walk in the truth of who you are in Christ, you experience the fullness of His grace, power, and love. You start living out the victory He has already won for you.
Remember, you are a new creation in Christ. You are chosen, loved, and empowered to live the life God has called you to. Embrace your new identity, and let it transform every part of your life. In Christ, all things have become new—and that changes everything!