51 Identity In Christ Bible Verses To Live By

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What does it mean to have an identity in Christ?

For a long time, Christians have taken the same approach to identity that the world has. We have this “live your best life” attitude and “become your best Christian self.”

I could share example after example of the church’s confusion on this topic; instead, I’m going to focus on bringing clarity.

What does the Bible say about our identity in Christ or becoming a new creation?

What is a new creation?

In this article, we’re going to talk about our identity in Christ and consider the truth of who we are as told by our Creator, God Almighty. For just a few moments I want you to drop EVERYTHING you’ve learned from society about identity really hear what God has to say about it all. You’ll learn about the identity God gave us at the time of creation, how we lost ourselves (yup, going there), and how God restores us and carries us into our identity in Christ.

I’ll give you the Scripture trail of all the My Identity In Christ verses I’ve come across in the Bible (you can print them out free!) aaand, at the end, you’ll find a quick list of Identity in Christ Bible Study Resources for you to dig into on your own.

What Is Spiritual Identity?

Spiritual identity is a way to describe the spiritual imprint on our lives. It’s a way of expressing what we believe and what we are aligning with on a spiritual level.

What is our identity in Christ? Our identity in Christ is a way of describing how God sees us. We had an identity before we began a relationship with Jesus, but it was based on how we see ourselves and how the world views us. It is based largely on our actions and is always tainted by sin and imperfections.

When God becomes the one we love and live for He gives us a completely new identity. Paul teaches it like this,

‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17

In Christ, we are a new creation. We’ll talk more about what that means in a moment.

How do you find out about your identity in Christ? Finding your identity in Christ begins with opening the Bible. In the remainder of this article, you’ll read a collection of new creation in Christ verses and Bible verses about identity in Christ.

Why do we need to know our identity in Christ? Our identity in Christ shapes the way we live. It forms our beliefs, our confidence, our hope, and our actions. It’s a living and breathing part of us and it equips us for the work God gives us to accomplish during our time on Earth.

What Does the Bible Say About Our Identity In Christ?

Let’s start from the beginning. Most of the questions people have about our identity in Christ and becoming a new creation are answered simply by going back to the creation of mankind.

If we don’t recognize the insufficiency of the old, how can we truly appreciate the healing and wholeness of the new? To really understand the significance

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…”
Genesis 1:27

When God created mankind His goal was to create someone like Him; similar to Him in nature and stature. His sovereignty sets Him apart from us but His character, I believe he intended for us to partake in. Where did I get this idea from? These identity in Christ scriptures for starters:

God is holy and He asks us to “be holy like I am holy.” (see Leviticus 20:7)
He is just and He calls us to act justly (see Micah 6:8).
He is righteous andnd He instructs us to, “…seek first the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness..” (see Matthew 6:33).
God is truth and He tells us to know the truth (John 8:32) and be sanctified by it (John 17:17).

And although we will never match His sovereignty, along with the character that reflects Him, He gave us dominion and space to govern as He governs (Genesis 1:27).

We are God’s creation. He has always desired for us to identify ourselves that way. We would know we were His because our actions and character would mirror His. We would learn who we were by learning from our Creator. That in a nutshell is the identity in Christ meaning. This is how is identity worked before sin entered the world.

Eventually, though, sin did enter the world. In one bite (see Genesis chapter 3) humankind went from owning our God-given identity to fighting to preserve it. Sin shook things up for us, but God has always made sure that the people who wanted to know Him could come to Him. When we do, God takes removes our old identity a new one. We become a new creation.

Print the IAM Identity In Christ Coloring Book!

What Does It Mean to Have A New Identity In Christ?

‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17

What happens when you become a new creation? Becoming a new creation describes the act of conforming to God’s standard of righteousness and truth. Becoming a new creation and living out our identity in Christ means that we stop living and perceiving things the way the world does and we start living the way God instructs. We get a clearer picture of what this means by examining stories from the Bible.

One of the first people to demonstrate this for us in the Bible was Abraham. He left His entire family and their way of living to go to a place that God would show Him and become God’s own people. 

The people of Israel followed in his footsteps when God lead them out of Egypt, gave them 10 commandments, and lead them into the promised land. 

The Bible describes many people abandoning pagan lifestyles, choosing to follow God, and allowing Him to create in them something holy and beautiful. Here are a few examples: 

• The kingdom of Israel (at their founding and again when they returned from exile)
• The city of Ninevah (found in the book of Jonah) 
• Ruth (of Ruth and Naomi) 
• Rahab

The list only gets longer as you continue through the Bible, especially into the New Testament. I absolutely LOVE the story of Rahab! She is a great example of what it looks like to receive a new identity in Christ. People wonder how that’s even possible when her story takes place well before Jesus. The truth is that the same Jesus’ who atoned for your sins and my sins atoned for Rahab’s sins. We have the same Savior. 

Rahab (a Canaanite woman in a tough bind) acknowledged the God of Israel, put her trust in the Lord, and was given a new identity. Her story foreshadows the grace you and I receive today. I’ll show you what I mean and the Scripture trail that got me there in our Rahab Bible Study worksheets. Fill out the form below to get them sent straight to your inbox!

 

Protecting Our Identity In Christ

So at the very beginning of the scripture, the beginning of creation God had established a dwelling place for us, a relationship with us, and an identity for us.

When we separated ourselves from the truth; we separated ourselves from God. That explains in more simple terms what happened when Eve at the forbidden fruit. She was deceived. Scripture tells it like this in Genesis chapter 3:

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Genesis 3:8-13

Lies and deception will always lead us further away from God.

Through the gospel, God makes a way through reconciliation with Him. Now it’s our turn to carry out our portion of this mission by accepting God’s gift of forgiveness and new life in Him and allowing it to lead us in righteousness.

Restoring our identity in Christ and our relationship with God rests on our willingness to abandon everything the world has told us about who we are the purpose of this life and immerse ourselves in the truth of who God is and the identity He has given us. I love the identity in Christ illustrations Paul gives us in the Bible. Here’s just one example. 

But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:20-24

7 Ways to Live Our Identity In Christ

How Can We Live Our Identity In Christ?

God is so passionate about restoring our relationship with Him and cultivating that Christ-like character within us. In calling us back to Him and back to righteousness, He is also calling us back to our identity; back to a people that reflect His truth, holiness, righteousness, and just nature.

These aren’t just facts He wants us to know. These are truths God wants us to act on. How can we live out our identity in Christ? Here are 6 basic ways.

1. Study the Bible.
2. Hear and follow God’s Leading
3. Use your God-given authority.
4. Tell others about Jesus.
5. Be loyal to the truth.
6. Love outrageously.
7. Serve Well

Study The Bible

The Bible helps us understand the big picture purpose behind the creation of people. All the questions we have about our identity in Christ are answered in the Bible.

What is our identity in Christ? What do we do with it? How do we live it out? I’ve got some basic tips for you here but the Bible has even more and it’s so much more thorough than I could be. So if you really have questions about what God created you for and how your identity changes you, study the Bible.

If you’re new to Bible study and don’t know where to start, we have tons of basics tips for everyday women on how to study the Bible, here.

Hear and Follow God’s Leading

Or in other words; pray always. One of the most incredible parts of becoming a new creation and having a relationship with God is that we can actually talk to Him and hear from Him on a regular and ongoing basis.

The best relationships are built on transparent ongoing communication and God wants that for you and Him. Making time to talk to God and hear from Him (because He does talk to us) is the best way to make sure we continue on the straight and narrow and honor God in all that we do.

It’s also a big part of how we get direction from God and the wisdom to accomplish the assignments He gives us.

How do we make time to talk to and hear from God? My book A Woman’s Guide to Steadfast Prayer can help you with the basics. You’ll learn simple tips inspired by the Bible that help you understand what prayer is and how to make space for it in your life. You’ll also find tons of practical tips for prayer in the “learning to pray” portion of the website.

Use Your God-Given Authority

This is the part of our identity in Christ that catches people off guard. Did you know, as a member of His family, Jesus has given you authority to walk in on a daily basis and in your everyday life? In Matthew chapter 28 Jesus tells his disciples,

“… All authority in heaven has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the ages. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

When sin entered the world it took authority from people. When Jesus overcame sin and death on the cross, He took that authority back (see Matthew 18:18). He’s given a portion of it to His followers so that they can be a part of building God’s kingdom and helping people find Him.

What authority has Jesus given us? The authority to:

• Preach the gospel (Mark 16:20)
• Make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20)
• Heal the sick (see Mark chapters 3, 16, and 10) and raise the dead (Matthew 10:8)
• Break demonic strongholds and cast out demons (Mark 3:15 and Matthew 10:1)
• Resist the work and temptation of the devil (James 4:7)

Some of these things sound pretty extreme, but we have to understand we part of a very real spiritual battle. Authority is the tool that equips us to accomplish our part in overcoming evil and introducing people to the truth and love of God.

Tell Others About Jesus and the Gospel

Discipleship is a big part of living out our identity in Christ. God wants us to bring the world to Him. We are His disciples and He instructs us to make more disciples. That’s how His kingdom grows.

The word disciple means student. Becoming a new creation and a disciple of Jesus means we are committed to learning His ways and making them our own. In addition, we help others do the same.

Stay Loyal to The Truth

The absolute key to how to live out your identity in Christ is to commit yourself to the truth. We live in a day and age where the truth is unpopular. But that’s the only way people will find freedom and truth; they need someone to speak it.

Jesus expects that someone to be you and I. We are called to be a light in the darkness (Ephesians 5:8-11) and to bring truth to the open spaces.

When I study the life of Jesus, his disciples, and the apostles I am always reminded how important our duty to speak the truth is. Most of the disciples were martyred for sharing the truth of God’s love with people. It was a crime. People were stoned, whipped, and imprisoned for even mentioning Jesus’ name in public places.

Those who called Jesus the Messiah were threatened with death. Many were actually killed. That didn’t make the truth any less essential and it didn’t change the responsibility we have in sharing it. The world needs truth. If Jesus is the best-kept secret of our lives we’re not properly using our identity in Christ.

We must prioritize the truth and we must learn to speak it in love.

Love Outrageously

The Bible has a lot to say about love:

Love your neighbor. Love strangers. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who spitefully use you. Forgive. Love your enemies. Love yourself (yup, that’s in there too).

A willingness to give unconditional love is the mark of a committed disciple. Part of living out your identity in Christ is learning to view others with the same lens of love that Jesus did. They are people He loved enough to die for (see Romans 5:8).

In the Bible, when asked what the most important commandment was, Jesus answered,

“… You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and Prophets.”
Matthew 22:37-40

Serve Well

When it all comes down to it, living out our identity in Christ can be described as simply following Jesus’ example. The one thing Jesus made really clear about his responsibilities on Earth was that He didn’t come to get famous. He came to serve. In Matthew chapter 20 Jesus tells His disciples,

“… You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet, it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:25-28

Jesus came to serve, and He taught His disciples that they should desire to do the same. How we love and serve others is a huge part of living out our identity in Christ. Our identity in Christ is such a beautiful thing. The more I comprehend God’s design for our life with Him the more amazed I am by His love for us. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Want to keep digging? Read below to follow a trail of Bible verses about identity in Christ.

Explore your Identity in Christ through our New Bible Study!

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If you’d prefer to study for yourself and you’re wondering where in the Bible does it talk about identity? I have a list of 51+ My Identity in Christ verses from the Bible for you to explore for yourself. Click here to print the free My Identity In Christ List pdf.

Identity In Christ List | 51+ Bible Verses About Your Identity In Christ

• Genesis 1:26-28 – Then God said, “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the Earth.
• John 1:3-4 – All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
• Genesis 9:6 – “… For in the image of God He made man.”
• Isaiah 43:21 – This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare my praise.

You were created to…

• Do good (Ephesians 2:10 and Galatians 6:9)
• Increase – Build His kingdom (Genesis 1:28)
• Serve God (John 12:26 and Philippians 2:7-8)
• Serve others (Matthew 25:45 and Mark 10:45)
• Love God (Matthew 22:37)
• Love people (Matthew 22:28)
• Witness (1 Peter 3:15 and Acts 4:20)
• Glorify Him (1 Corinthians 10:31)
• Advocate (Proverbs 31:8-9, Psalm 82:3)
• Worship (Isaiah 43:21, John 4:24)
• Build His Kingdom (Acts 9:31, Matthew 6:10, and Haggai 1:9-11)
• Testify (Acts 20:24)
• Know Him (John 17:3)
• Spread the gospel (Mark 16:15 and Matthew 24:14)
• Make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20)
• Reflect Him (Ephesians 5:1-2)
• Speak the truth (Ephesians 4:15, John 8:32, Psalm 86:11)
• Minister (Ephesians 3:7)

Through Jesus you have become… 

• A new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• Blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesian 1:3)
• Loved with great love (Ephesians 2:4)
• Accepted (Ephesians 1:6)
• Chosen (Ephesians 1:4)
• Sealed With Promise (Ephesians 1:13)
• Forgiven (Ephesians 1:7)
• Purposed (Psalm 57:2)
• Equipped (Ephesians 6:10-18)
• Redeemed (Ephesians 1:7)
• Adopted (Ephesians 1:5)
• Grafted into God’s family (Ephesians 3:6)
• Christ’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
• Of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19)
• Light in the Darkness (Ephesians 5:8-11)

To save these Bible verses for your own study download our free Identity in Christ PDF.

Keep scrolling for our list of Identity In Christ Bible Study Resources!

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Identity In Christ Bible Study Resources

Identity Theft: Reclaiming the Truth of Your Identity In Christ – If you find yourself habitually using your relationships, influence, work status, etc to give you purpose and identity- and you’re ready to break free of that – The Identity Theft Bibel study will help you understand the biblical truth of your identity in Christ.

Identified: Knowing Who You Are In Christ and Moving Forward in Your Purpose – An 8-week Identity in Christ Bible study designed to help women grow in godly character and overcome obstacles like doubt, fear, and anxiety. You’ll also learn how to identify your gifts and talents and begin using them for God. 

In His Image – 10 Ways God Calls You to Reflect His Character – A Biblical study on developing Christ-like character. 

TruthFilled – This 7-session Bible Study will teach you how to respond to the truth about your identity in Christ in the midst of change and an unfortunately messy world. Based on the book of Colossians.

Well Watered Woman – If you’re struggling to live out and apply the truth of the Bible in your life, you’ll love the testimony of Gretchin Saffles in Well-Watered Woman. It’ll encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus and find joy, hope, and purpose in your identity in Christ. 

I AM Identity In Christ Printable Coloring Pages – 17-page scripture coloring book designed to help you meditate on your God-given identity in Christ.

Who I Am In Christ – A 100 Day Identity in Christ devotional.

Radiant: His Light Your Life For Women and Teen Girls – An Identity in Christ Priscilla Shirer Bible study. In this book, you’ll learn how to let the light of God’s words shape your identity. Complete with personal testimony, scripture, and application.