NEW IDENTITY

By Jerelyn Pearson

 

One of the things I enjoyed throughout my teaching career was that every school year provided a new beginning, a blank slate on which to write a new story. Not many jobs provide this opportunity on such a regular basis. When we receive Christ, we receive not only a new beginning, but also a new identity; and not only that, but our old identity is taken away, and all things became new.

2 Corinthians 5:17:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Since each of us has become a new creature and all things have become new, then we should walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

So what does that new life look like? Let's look at some examples of our Old Identity contrasted with our New Identity.

 

Our Old Identity was one of Judgement and condemnation.  Romans 5:18 tell us what has replaced judgement and condemnation.

Romans 5:18
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Judgement and condemnation are replaced by justification of life!

 

Our old identity was one of sin.

Romans 5:19
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Sin is replaced by righteousness!

 

The wages of that sin in our old identity was death.

Romans 6:23 
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The wages of sin have been replaced by the gift of eternal life!

 

In our old identity we had the spirit of bondage to fear.

Romans 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The spirit of bondage to fear has been replaced by the Spirit of adoption!

 

Our old identity was one of darkness.

Ephesians 5:8
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light

1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1 John 2:8
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

Darkness has been replaced by light!

 

Our old identity was full of fear.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

Fear has been replaced (cast out) by perfect love!

 

In the struggles of this life, it is encouraging to realize what we have in Christ so that we can let go of what we were rescued from: our old identity.  When we find ourselves in times of condemnation, judgment, sin, bondage, darkness, or fear; we can recognize that these are attributes of our old identity.  We can then embrace our new Identity of justification, righteousness, eternal life, adoption, light, and perfect love in Jesus Christ!

Here is a quick reference chart with scriptures proclaiming our New Identity.  This is not intended to be a complete list.  I’m sure you will add many more examples as you study God’s Word.

                                                  

 

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