Embracing Our Identity: Living 'In Christ'

Devotional

Day 1: Living as an Insider—Winning Respect from Outsiders

Believers are called to live wisely and graciously among those outside Christ, so that their daily lives reflect Christ and win respect from outsiders.

Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV):
"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Reflection: Who is one “outsider” in your life who is watching your actions or words? How can you intentionally show them Christ’s grace and wisdom in your interactions today? [23:37]

Day 2: Embracing Your New Identity in Christ

In Christ, you are a new creation—the old has gone, and you have a new identity and purpose, free from condemnation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV):
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Reflection: What is one old habit or mindset from your past that you need to let go of today, so you can fully embrace your new identity in Christ? [30:49]

Day 3: Receiving Spiritual Blessings in Christ

God has blessed those in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms, inviting believers to live from a place of abundance and gratitude.

Ephesians 1:3 (NIV):
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."

Reflection: List three spiritual blessings you have received in Christ. How can you express gratitude for these blessings in your prayers and actions today? [38:21]

Day 4: Knowing You Are Chosen and Part of God’s Eternal Plan

You are not an accident; God chose you in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless, and you are part of His perfect, unfolding plan.

Ephesians 1:4 (NIV):
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to trust God’s timing or plan? How can you surrender this area to Him and wait on His perfect timing today? [49:43]

Day 5: Living Out Your Sanctified Identity as a Saint

In Christ, you are sanctified and called to be holy, set apart as a saint, and empowered to live by your new nature.

1 Corinthians 1:2 (NIV):
"To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:"

Reflection: What is one practical way you can live out your sanctified identity as a saint today, especially in an area where you are tempted to believe you are “just a sinner”? [44:18]

Sermon Summary

Today’s teaching centers on the profound reality of what it means to be “in Christ.” Humanity is divided into two groups: those outside Christ and those inside Christ. Those outside are called “outsiders” in Scripture, and are not partakers of the blessings and provisions found in Christ. Those inside Christ, however, are called to live in a way that wins the respect of outsiders, not for their own glory, but so that Christ is honored and His name is magnified through their lives. The way we conduct ourselves—leading quiet lives, minding our own business, and working diligently with our hands—serves as a testimony to those watching from the outside.

Being in Christ is not merely a label; it is a new identity. By our first birth, we are in Adam, inheriting the fallen nature and its consequences. But by our second birth—through faith in Jesus—we are placed in Christ, made alive, and given a new identity as new creations. This transformation is not just spiritual theory; it is a lived reality. In Christ, there is no condemnation. The old has passed away, and the new has come. We are called to embrace this new identity, to know who we are and what we have in Christ.

This new identity brings with it spiritual blessings and responsibilities. We are not only new creatures, but also saints, sanctified and set apart for God’s purposes. We are part of the church, the very temple in which God’s Spirit dwells. Our place in Christ is not accidental; it is the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan, established before the foundation of the world. God’s plans are perfect and orderly, but He invites us to participate through faith and obedience. Even when His timing seems delayed, His plans are never late. Our role is to trust, believe, and cooperate with His divine purpose, knowing that in Christ, we are chosen, blessed, and secure.

Key Takeaways

1. The world is divided into those outside and those inside Christ. Those inside are called to live in such a way that outsiders see Christ’s character in them. Our daily conduct, speech, and diligence are not just personal virtues but are meant to reflect the reality of Christ within us, drawing respect not just to ourselves but to the God we serve. [29:29]
2. Our identity in Christ is not inherited by natural birth but by spiritual rebirth. In Adam, all die, but in Christ, all are made alive. This means that our past, our failures, and our old nature no longer define us; instead, we are defined by the new life and identity given to us through faith in Jesus. [35:35]
3. Faith is the doorway into Christ, but God’s work of baptism by the Spirit establishes us in Him. Our part is to believe and confess, but God’s part is to immerse us into Christ, clothing us with His righteousness and making us part of His body. This dual dynamic of faith and divine action is foundational to understanding our security and position in Christ. [41:02]
4. Knowing our true identity in Christ is essential for victorious living. We are not merely forgiven sinners; we are saints, sanctified, and set apart. When we lose sight of this, we become vulnerable to the enemy’s accusations and to living beneath our calling. Embracing our identity as new creations, saints, and members of God’s household empowers us to live holy and purposeful lives. [44:18]
5. God’s plan for our lives is eternal, perfect, and unfolds in His timing. Even when circumstances seem to delay His promises, we are called to trust and cooperate with His plan. Impatience or taking matters into our own hands can lead to unnecessary pain, but waiting on God’s timing brings beauty and fulfillment, as His plans are never late. [54:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[19:45] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[20:29] - Introduction: What It Means to Be In Christ
[21:42] - Two Groups: Inside and Outside Christ
[23:00] - Conduct Toward Outsiders
[24:53] - Living Quietly and Minding Your Business
[28:09] - Working with Your Hands and Gaining Respect
[30:09] - The New Creation: In Christ vs. In Adam
[32:45] - Our Identity Shift: From Adam to Christ
[36:12] - The Second Birth and Spiritual Position
[38:21] - How We Enter Into Christ
[41:43] - Knowing and Confessing Our Identity
[42:59] - New Creation and Sainthood
[46:14] - Being Part of the Church and God’s Temple
[48:58] - God’s Eternal Plan and Our Role
[51:03] - Cooperating with God’s Plan
[54:56] - Trusting God’s Timing and Waiting in Faith

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 5:17 — “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

- Colossians 4:5-6
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

- Ephesians 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”

Observation Questions

According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, what happens to a person who is “in Christ”? What does it mean that “the old has gone, the new is here”?
In Colossians 4:5-6, what instructions are given about how to interact with “outsiders”? What is the purpose of these instructions? [23:00]
From Ephesians 1:3-4, what kinds of blessings do we receive in Christ, and when did God choose us to be in Him?
The sermon mentioned two groups of people: those “inside” and those “outside” Christ. What are some differences between these two groups, according to the teaching? [22:20]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says being “in Christ” is not just a label but a new identity. Why is it important for believers to see themselves as new creations rather than just forgiven sinners? [44:18]
Why does Paul emphasize living in a way that “wins the respect of outsiders”? How does our daily conduct reflect on Christ and the gospel? [29:29]
The teaching highlights that faith is our part, but God’s part is to “baptize” us into Christ by His Spirit. How does understanding this dual role (our faith and God’s action) affect our sense of security in Christ? [41:02]
The sermon says God’s plan is eternal and unfolds in His timing. Why is it sometimes hard to wait for God’s timing, and what can happen when we try to “help” God’s plan along? [54:56]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to “lead quiet lives, mind our own business, and work with our hands” as a testimony to outsiders. In your daily life, what is one area where you could be more intentional about your conduct so that others see Christ in you? [25:33]
Think about your conversations with people who are not Christians (“outsiders”). Are your words “full of grace, seasoned with salt”? Share a recent example—positive or negative—and discuss how you might improve. [23:37]
The teaching says our past and failures no longer define us; instead, we are defined by our new identity in Christ. Is there something from your past that you still let define you? What would it look like to let go of that and embrace your new identity? [35:35]
The sermon says we are not just forgiven sinners but saints, sanctified and set apart. How does this truth challenge the way you see yourself and your daily choices? [44:18]
God’s plan for our lives is perfect, but sometimes His timing feels slow. Can you share a time when you struggled to wait for God’s timing? What did you learn from that experience? [54:56]
The teaching says that impatience or taking matters into our own hands can lead to pain. Are there areas in your life right now where you are tempted to “help” God’s plan? What would it look like to trust and wait instead? [54:56]
The sermon reminds us that we are part of God’s church, His temple, and that His Spirit dwells in us. How does this truth affect the way you approach church community and your role in it? [46:14]

Sermon Clips

Mankind can be divided into two groups. Mankind according to this teaching can be divided into these two groups and the first group is those outside Christ. Colossians chapter number 4 verse number five, those outside Christ. If you are taking notes, I'm talking about foundational teaching for us to really understand what does it really mean to be in Christ. [00:22:07]

There are people who are interested in your Christianity sometimes even more than yourself. They are watching every step that you take, every word you speak, the conversation you have. They are watching. They are not inside, they're outside, but they are watching you. [00:26:18]

This is why you see the scriptures telling us now because we have such a people, verse 11:7, make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. I want you to put it together with what we learned last week in Ecclesiastics chapter number 10. This is also wisdom that you make it your ambition to live a quiet life because there are people watching you, observing you. [00:26:36]

If something does not concern you, leave it, leave it, mind your own business. Praise the name of the Lord. And I hope some people here, you have ever been told by somebody, mind your own business because you are trying to interfere with what does not concern you. [00:27:16]

Work with your hands, not with your mouth unless you are a preacher. Eh, don't don't work with your nose. Eh, don't work with your eyes. Work with your hands. Every time you see the scripture talking about working with your hands, it's talking about your giftings. [00:27:49]

When you are working with your own hands, you will attract resources and you'll manage to lead acquired life. And the word of God again says just as we told you so that your daily life may win respect, not respect with insiders. Insiders are those who are inside. [00:28:21]

The scripture is telling us here that so that your daily life may win respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. So God wants us to win respect with the outsiders and this is so important because when the outsiders respect you, they respect your God. [00:29:08]

By man's first birth, he is in Adam. When you are born from your mom, you are born as somebody who is coming from the seed of Adam. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse number 22. So at your birth, you are in Adam, the first Adam. [00:33:10]

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. Are you seeing that word in Adam? Those who are inside Adam, those who are natural, they were born just by the seed of a woman. The scripture calls them what? They in Adam. [00:33:45]

So by man's second birth, he is in Christ Jesus. So you are born in Adam naturally, but with your second birth you are in Christ Jesus. We find that in John chapter number three. John chapter number three and we have seen the same in first Corinthians chapter number 15 verse 22. [00:36:20]

Ephesians chapter number one, media team, verse number three. The word of God says, "Praise be to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realm with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Amen. You see that? So in Christ Jesus we have blessings, we have wealth, we have abundance. [00:38:05]

The steps of getting in Christ Jesus is through you believing, through you believing in Christ Jesus. When you have that belief and that confession, then it happens. Amen. So you have a part to play. Amen. You have a part to play and that is believing. [00:40:08]

Something happens in your life when you know your true identity in Christ Jesus. Many people don't know their true identity in Christ Jesus and that is why the enemy plays around with so many believers. And we have seen the first identity that every believer must know. [00:42:25]

A saint is that one who is sanctified. You are sanctified in Christ Jesus. Amen. You can as well use that specific word in the NIV. New King James talks about saint. This one is talking about you are sanctified. Can you say I am sanctified? [00:44:18]

It's very difficult for a human being to believe that. If I tell you that you are a sinner, you will say, "Oh wicked sin." Me, it is very easy for a human being to believe negative, but it's very hard for men to believe what is positive, what God has done for them in Christ Jesus. [00:44:46]

You are not an accident to find yourself in Christ Jesus. It is God's divine making. It is God's divine plan. Can I hear an amen in the church? Amen. You know it's wonderful for you to know that you have in God's plan, that you being born again today, it is a plan that has been executed by God. [00:50:22]

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