New Identity

Is becoming a Christian just a change of world view or does something happen to people who take such a step? Is there a change in identity?

What does the Bible say about a Christian's new identity -

1. Child of God - Galatians 4v5-7
2. New Creation - 2 Corinthians 5:16-20
3. Redeemed - 1 Peter 1:18-22
4. Chosen People - 1 Peter 2:5-6, 9-11

Child of God

Galatians 4:5-7

God sent [Jesus] to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Questions for reflection and discussion

1. What new identity do we have through what God has done for us?
2. How does being a child of God affect your status with God?

Thoughts to consider

God’s Spirit coming into us makes us God’s children. When we become his children, we are part of his family. Then, we will receive the blessing from God that goes with being his child. We will also be treated by other people as an expression of their attitude to God.

New Creation

2 Corinthians 5:16-20

So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

Questions for reflection and discussion

1. What is the new state of those who belong to Christ?
2. What does it mean that the old life has gone and that the new life has come?
3. What does it mean to join Jesus in reconciling the world?

Thoughts to consider

When entering God’s family, God views that person differently and the fact that his Spirit lives in them, makes them a different person. There is a new dimension of life.

Redeemed

1 Peter 1:18-22

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.

Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.
You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

Questions for reflection and discussion

1. How is the life before and after ransom described?
2. What is meant by an empty way of life?
3. What does it mean that Jesus’ blood paid the redemption price?

Thoughts to consider

To be redeemed is to be purchased back. Payment is needed to transfer ownership. Before being redeemed we were slaves to the sin nature and the forces of darkness. Jesus redeemed us to bring us into his realm as his people.

Chosen People

1 Peter 2:5-6, 9-11

And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” …

… you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.

Questions for reflection and discussion

1. What labels or picture language are applied to God’s people?
2. Reflect on some of pictures or labels. If this is how God sees you, then how does that effect your relationship with him?

Thoughts to consider

God’s people are a people who have been separated out by God for his purposes. That separation makes us special to God It also makes us strangers to the world.

Overview questions

1. What is the new identity of those who believe God?
2. How does that new identity change the outlook of life?

Thoughts to consider

The new identity we have when we receive Jesus is more than a label. It is a new relationship with God, it is a place in a family, it carries with it all the responsibilities and privileges of being a family member.

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