{"id":3885,"date":"2023-09-05T16:49:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T20:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/learn\/?p=3885"},"modified":"2025-07-30T10:49:02","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T14:49:02","slug":"your-identity-in-christ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/learn\/voices\/your-identity-in-christ\/","title":{"rendered":"What the Bible Says About Your Identity in Christ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What names are you answering to? It\u2019s easy to forget who we are in the midst of life\u2019s struggles. But, as believers, we can trust what the Bible tells us about our identity in Christ, and how we should live in light of those truths. Today\u2019s post from bestselling author Hosanna Wong will explore some of those key identity Scriptures, offering insight and encouragement by unpacking nine names God calls us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God knew that throughout our lives we\u2019d be told lies about who we are and who we are not. Our Creator\u2019s words show us who we were created to be, and who we have always been. Remember, no one has the power to define you but the One who created you. And the names God calls you may be very different from the other names you\u2019ve been told.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to unpack nine names from the Word of God, names He has given to those who follow Him. Write them down, study them, highlight and circle everything that stands out to you. To be clear, God gives you a lot of names in the Bible. I encourage you to read it fully and uncover every name God has given you and see yourself through His lens. These nine are a great place to begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Friend of God<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the one who feels abandoned or alone . . . you are more than you\u2019ve been told. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth: \u201cI don\u2019t call you servants any longer. . . . I call you friends.\u201d John 15:15 (VOICE)<\/a> You are not abandoned or alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FRIEND OF GOD. That\u2019s your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Chosen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the one who feels like an afterthought, a mistake, or second place . . . you are more than you\u2019ve been told. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth: \u201cTo you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ . . . We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.\u201d 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 4 (NLT)<\/a> There is no requirement to be chosen by God other than belonging to God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eugene Peterson puts that same verse this way: \u201cIt is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special.\u201d 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 (MSG)<\/a> This means that not only is your position important, but God has intentionally placed you precisely where you are. You are no afterthought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHOSEN. That\u2019s your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. God’s Masterpiece<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the one who feels unworthy, or less-than\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0. you are more than you\u2019ve been told. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth: \u201cWe are his workmanship,\u201d (Ephesians 2:10, KJV<\/a>) \u201cWe are God\u2019s masterpiece,\u201d (Ephesians 2:10, NLT<\/a>) and \u201cWe are the product of His hand, heaven\u2019s poetry etched on lives, created in the Anointed, Jesus, to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago.\u201d (Ephesians 2:10, VOICE<\/a>) You are not unworthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GOD\u2019S MASTERPIECE. That\u2019s your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. God’s Temple<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the one who feels ashamed of your body because of what you\u2019ve done with it, or what has been done to it\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0. you are more than you\u2019ve been told. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth: \u201cYour body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who comes from God and dwells inside of you.\u201d 1 Corinthians 6:19 (VOICE)<\/a> \u00a0You are not defined by what you did or what was done to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GOD\u2019S TEMPLE. That\u2019s your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. God’s Messenger<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the one who feels ill-equipped to show the love of God in your everyday life, who thinks your story is not good enough to help people, or your life could never make an impact\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0. you are more than you\u2019ve been told. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth: \u201cYou will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere\u2014in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.\u201d Acts 1:8 (NLT)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The apostle Paul said, \u201cYour life story confirms the life story of the Anointed One.\u201d 1 Corinthians 1:6 (VOICE)<\/a> You are not unqualified to share the hope of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GOD\u2019S MESSENGER. That\u2019s your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Child of God<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the one who feels like you grew up too fast, your childhood was stolen, and you never got the chance to fully experience what being a child is like\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0. you are more than you\u2019ve been told. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth: \u201cWhoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves.\u201d (John 1:12, MSG<\/a>) We \u201care all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.\u201d (Galatians 3:26, NLT<\/a>) \u00a0You are not defined by what was taken from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHILD OF GOD. That\u2019s your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Greatly Loved<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the one who feels unlovable, too broken, and like there are things in your past that could never be redeemed\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0. you are more than you\u2019ve been told. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth: \u201cWhile we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display\u2014the Anointed One died for us,\u201d (Romans 5:8, VOICE<\/a>) and \u201cGreater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.\u201d (John 15:13, ESV<\/a>) You are not unlovable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GREATLY LOVED. That\u2019s your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Free, Indeed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the one who feels like you\u2019ll never be set free from the shame of who you were, what you\u2019ve done, or how you used to live\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0. you are more than you\u2019ve been told. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth: \u201cIf the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.\u201d (John 8:36, NLT<\/a>) \u201cAnd Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.\u201d (Romans 8:10-11, NLT<\/a>) You are not chained to your past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FREE, INDEED. That\u2019s your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Brand New<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you feel like you are stuck with your old names, your old mentalities, and the opinions of people who only knew you by your past\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0. you are more than you\u2019ve been told. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth: \u201cAnyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!\u201d (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT<\/a>) You are not stuck in your past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BRAND NEW. That\u2019s your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You Are More Than You’ve Been Told<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Adapted from You Are More Than You\u2019ve Been Told<\/em><\/a> by Hosanna Wong.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"You<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In\u00a0You Are More Than You’ve Been Told,\u00a0<\/em>spoken word artist and bestselling author Hosanna Wong unveils a fresh approach to spiritual disciplines as the practical ways we can stay connected to God and to our true selves. She will help you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n