Who God Says I Am: 10 Scriptures Affirming Your Identity in Christ

Do you ever struggle to understand your true identity and worth? In a world obsessed with titles, status and achievements, it's easy to tie our value to what we do or have. But Scripture offers a different perspective - it clearly reveals who God says we are in Jesus Christ.

When we put our faith in Jesus, we become children of God with a new identity. God's Word is filled with truths that affirm our value, adoption, forgiveness and position in Christ. Let's explore 10 Bible verses that powerfully proclaim who God says we are!

1. I Am Forgiven

"I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus." (1 John 2:12)

As humans, we are all guilty of sinning and falling short of God's perfect standard (Romans 3:23). The penalty for our sin is death and separation from a holy God (Romans 6:23). But even while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). When we trust in Him, the blood of Jesus washes away our sin and makes us clean.

Through faith, we can stand forgiven before God. As 1 John 2:12 declares, our sins are forgiven through Jesus! We no longer need to carry shame, because we are pardoned and released from the burden of guilt. This truth changes everything about how we relate to God - we can approach Him with confidence because we have been declared righteous in Christ.

2. I Am Adopted

"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." (Ephesians 1:5)

Adoption conveys a beautiful picture of God's love. While we were spiritual orphans, destined for death, God intervened and brought us into His family. He didn't just pardon our sins, He welcomed us as His own sons and daughters.

Ephesians 1:5 reveals that God planned our adoption long ago. He predestined us to be part of His family through faith in Jesus Christ. And this brought Him great joy and pleasure! Through adoption, we are reconciled and granted full access to our heavenly Father. We are wanted, loved and accepted as God's treasured children.

3. I Am Made Whole

"So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority." (Colossians 2:10)

Our culture is obsessed with self-improvement. We strive to better ourselves through self-help, education, discipline, or achievement. But Scripture says that in Christ, we are already made complete! His power fills what is lacking in us.

Colossians 2:10 assures that we are made whole through unity with Jesus. He is the head who rules over all other powers. When God looks at us, He sees the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). We can rest in who we are in Him, without trying to prove our worth. As we abide in Christ, His strength is perfected in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

4. I Am His

"Do not fear. I have redeemed you. I have summoned you. You are mine." (Isaiah 43:1)

At times, we may feel unloved, unseen, or forsaken. But Isaiah 43:1 offers a bold declaration from God - "You are mine!" God claims us as His own special possession through the blood of Jesus. This verse is packed with meaning.

"I have redeemed you" - God purchased our freedom with the costly sacrifice of His Son. A redeemer takes back what rightfully belongs to Him.

"I have summoned you" - God called us and drew us by name into relationship with Himself.

"You are mine" - We belong completely to God. We are treasured, known and cared for by the Creator of the universe!

There is incredible security in knowing we are His. No one can snatch us out of the Father's hand (John 10:29).

5. I Am One With the Lord

"But the one united with the Lord is one spirit with him." (1 Corinthians 6:17)

Genesis describes marriage as two becoming "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). This oneness illustrates the mystical union between Christ and His church. 1 Corinthians 6:17 reveals that in Spirit, we are fused together with Jesus in an intimate bond of unity.

This means all that is His becomes ours - we are co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). His righteousness, authority, position and victory are now ours too. And we have access to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20).

Our lives are hidden in Christ with God (Colossians 3:3). We are one.

6. I Am Made Alive With Christ

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you are saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5)

Sin corrupted us - we were once dead in our trespasses, utterly incapable of pleasing God or earning salvation. But because of His rich mercy and great love, God made us alive together with Christ!

Grace is getting what we don't deserve. While we were still dead in our sin, God showed us undeserved favor by sending His Son to die in our place (Romans 5:8). His sacrifice removed our sin and made us alive.

Now we can live in right relationship with God. He opened our blinded eyes, changed our hearts of stone, and breathed new life into our spirits (Ezekiel 36:26). Where once we were dead and rotting, now we are alive and fruitful in Christ!

7. I Am Seated in the Heavenly Places With Christ

"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6)

The resurrection of Jesus was just the start of His exaltation. Ephesians describes Jesus being raised from the dead and seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:20). This position of authority is far above all other powers and authorities (Ephesians 1:21).

Remarkably, Ephesians 2:6 says God has also raised us up and seated us with Christ in the heavenly realms! We share in His authority and position as citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). Even while living on earth, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

Though we struggle with sin and hardship, our true identity is that of an honored, enthroned saint. We are seated with Christ!

8. I Am a Member of Christ's Body

"The Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 3:6)

What an honor - through faith we are made members of Christ's own body! Jesus is called the head of the church, which is His body (Colossians 1:18). And we have the privilege of belonging to that body as fellow members.

The church is described as Christ's hands, feet and mouthpiece here on earth. We are adopted into God's family and united by the Spirit. When one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers (1 Corinthians 12:26). This means our identity is tied to something greater than ourselves. We are not alone - we are members of Christ's living body!

This membership comes with the promise of eternity. One day we will be united in perfect communion with all the saints. We will worship face-to-face with our beloved head, Jesus.

9. I Have Boldness and Confident Access to God

"In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." (Ephesians 3:12)

Through Christ, we are no longer separated from God. We have unlimited access into His presence! Ephesians 3:12 says we can come boldly and confidently before God because of our faith in Jesus.

We do not come trembling as guilty sinners, but as favored children eager to spend time with our Father. We have nothing to prove or earn. The price has been paid. God looks at us and sees the righteousness of His Son.

The Creator of the universe, the all-powerful King, invites us into His throne room. He hears our prayers, collects our tears, and answers us. He delights for us to approach Him as caring Father - with freedom and confidence!

10. I Am a New Creation

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are made completely new! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says the old sinful self has gone and a new holy creation has come.

We are reborn. Our hearts of stone are turned into hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). God's Spirit comes to dwell in us, transforming us into temples of the living God (1 Corinthians 6:19). Old addictions, selfish patterns and ungodly desires start to fall away. We are a new creation!

With a new heart, mind and spirit, we are empowered to walk in righteousness. Our thoughts, words and actions take on new life in Christ. Yes, we sometimes still stumble as we learn to shed old ways of living. But day by day, we are being renewed into the image of our Creator (Colossians 3:10).

Old things have passed away. We are a new creation!

Conclusion

These are just 10 of the many Scriptures that reveal our identity in Christ. Here are some key truths to remember:

• I am fully forgiven and accepted through Jesus' sacrifice
• I am adopted into God's family as His beloved child
• I am made spiritually complete and whole in Christ
• I belong to God - I am wanted and loved by Him
• Through the Spirit, I am one with Jesus in an intimate bond of unity
• Though I was dead in sin, God made me alive together with Christ!
• I am raised up and seated with Christ in the heavenly realms
• I am a fellow member of the body of Christ, the church
• I can boldly and confidently approach God's throne by faith
• I am a new creation - the old sinful me is gone!

No matter what our culture or circumstances may tell us, Scripture reveals who we truly are in Christ. When we put our faith in Jesus, we are given a new identity and purpose. God paid the ultimate price to redeem us as His own.

May the truth of these verses sink deep into your heart. You are loved, chosen and called by the Creator of the universe. You have a secure identity in Christ. Rest in who God says you are!

Bible verses cited: 1 John 2:12, Ephesians 1:5, Colossians 2:10, Isaiah 43:1, 1 Corinthians 6:17, Ephesians 2:4-5, Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 3:6, Ephesians 3:12, 2 Corinthians 5:17