A New Identity

   A New Identity!

Our behavior is consistent with our beliefs.  People will not always live what they profess, but they will live what they believe. For many struggling with addictions the problem is not only their addiction, but also their misbeliefs.  They commonly believe what I call a "failure" identity.  They have been told and believe that once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic ( The Big Book (from Alcoholics Anonymous) states that once a person is an alcoholic, they are always an alcoholic, but does not define what is meant by the term "alcoholic") and once an addict, always an addict. Those stuggling with an addiction base their identity on their addiction.  They may believe they can stop using, but they do not believe they can stop being.  Is this true?  Well it can be, but doesn't have to be. You don't have to be an alcoholic, a drug addict, etc.  You can be free!  You can be changed! You do not need to accept a "failure" identity. You can have a new identity. A new identity as a child of God!

John 1:12 ¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Clearly the Word of God states that to those who believe and receive Jesus Christ as Savior, God has made them his child. 
Galatians 3:26 ²⁶ For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

In John chapter 3, Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews came and asked Jesus a question about eternal life.  Here is Jesus answer:
John 3:5-7 ⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
When one receives Jesus Christ into their lives as Savior, Jesus teaches they are born again.  The term born again is defined as regenerated or regened.  One who has been born of the Spirit is regened with the supernatural nature of God.  Literally, your body becomes the residence of the God's Holy Spirt.
1 Corinthians 3:16 ¹⁶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ¹⁹ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? ²⁰ For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Please note what the following verse is teaching:
John 14:20 ²⁰ At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Most Christians understand that Jesus Christ is in them, but do they understand that they are in Christ?  If you are in Christ, and Christ in you, you have everything available to you that you need to live the Christian life.  You do not need to worry about who you are or who others think you are.  What could you possilbly achieve or possess, or what status could you attain, to give you a better identity then being in Christ.  There is no greater worth or identity than being God's child, than being in Christ.

The question remains, What is your identity?  Who are you?    Are you a child of God?  Are you born again?  Is God's Holy Spirit living within you?  Are you in Christ and Christ in you?  You do not need a "failure" identity. You can have a new identity in Christ Jesus!

For more information concerning the First Step to Freedom visit our website:  http://www.reformude.com/first-step.html