If someone asked you who you are, you’d probably have a ready answer right on the tip of your tongue. You might mention where you came from and what you do for a living. Or you might describe your family and heritage. For instance, I’d say, “My name is Richard Roberts. I’m a healing evangelist. My wife’s name is Lindsay. We have three daughters: Jordan, Olivia, and Chloe…” And all of those things are true.But as born-again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, you and I are so much more than that! Over the years, I’ve learned that my very life depends not on knowing who I am in the natural realm, but knowing who I am in Christ. That means knowing who God says I am, according to His Word.
It’s crucial for us to understand and put our faith in our identity in Christ, because we live in a world where trouble and trials abound. Sometimes it seems like the devil pulls out all the stops in his efforts to destroy Christians.We see this all the time through the prayer requests that come in to the Abundant Life Prayer Group. So many people contact us to pray for the desperate needs in their lives…needs for healing, deliverance, and restoration.
They face all kinds of trials…cancer, family problems, bankruptcy, job loss, confusion, despair…you name it. In the face of such troubles, faith in God and His promises to us in Christ can be the difference between success and failure.Let me share with you just a little about who the Bible says we really are in Christ. Then I challenge you to study God’s Word for yourself and learn more about the life-changing promises God has made to you as His beloved child. When we apply His Word to our lives, we can walk in the victory He has waiting for us in 2009—the year of His more-than-enough blessing—and every year from now on!
Your True Identity as a born-again believer, you are now in Christ. That means you’re an overcomer (Romans 8:37). You are the head instead of the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). You can enjoy the fat (the best) of the land (Genesis 45:18). You are a joint heir with Jesus Christ Himself (Romans 8:17) of all that is in the earth and all that is stored up for you in heaven. Because you are in Christ, you are a child of God (John 1:12) and Jesus’ friend (John 15:15). You are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20), seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6). You are God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16), God’s co-worker (1 Corinthians 3:9), and God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). You have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19–20), redeemed and forgiven (Colossians 1:14), and set apart for God (Ephesians 1:1). You are forever free from condemnation (Romans 8:1–2), established, anointed, and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21–22).
As a follower of Christ, you are the salt and light of the earth (Matthew 5:13–14), you have constant access to God through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18), and you are His ministers of reconciliation on this earth (2 Corinthians 5:17–21). Philippians 4:13 tells us that you and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and Romans 8:37 reminds us that we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. In Christ, you and I have all we need to live a victorious life and all we need to live in a godly manner (2 Peter 1:3). I believe that if we really want to live in the victory God promises us in His Word, we need to renew our commitment to believing and living out who we are in Christ. “Remind Them Who They Are” Recently, I was reading prayer requests our ministry had received. People were expressing their desperate needs and challenges. I prayed, “Lord, I know You are all powerful. You are the God of healing, the God of restoration, the God Who provides more than enough. Lord, give me the words to encourage those who are discouraged and to declare Your greatness over their lives.”
As I was waiting upon the Lord for His answer, I kept hearing the words, “Remind them who they are. Remind them what is theirs. Remind them that I am here, and that there is more than enough in My storehouse to meet and exceed their every need. Tell all who will listen that when I have met every need of every person who is called by My name, the river of My blessings will still flow because there is an endless supply!
Tell them to leave the shore and step into My flow!
I tell you, on the authority of God’s Word, that our God is the God of more than enough! He is not the God of just getting by, or the God of minimums. In His presence, there is healing for our physical bodies, and restoration for our relationships, finances, and more. He has more than enough power and supply to meet every need.
And why do we need more than enough? It’s because God intends to do more than simply meet our own personal needs (although, of course, God cares about our needs). But an exciting joy of the Christian life is found in becoming a “pipeline” for the endless flow of God’s blessings to other people—so that all people might come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior!
Step Into the Flow of God’s Victory
No matter what you’re facing, you can live fully in Christ—starting today! Remember, we always have a choice. We can believe and act on the power of who we are in Christ, trusting in the God Who is more than enough. Or we can forever walk in uncertainty, not trusting in our position in Christ, trading away our authority in exchange for the devil’s doubts and discouragement.
If you’re ready to make the commitment to believe and act on your identity in Christ, I encourage you to spend some time with God. Ask Him to point out those areas where you can move more fully into who you are in Him. Give the Holy Spirit permission to help you grow in those areas. Then, take action in response to what God shows you. Begin to see yourself as He sees you, do what He tells you, and allow miracles to become the norm for you as you walk in the understanding of your identity in Christ.
Never forget—regardless of where you are right now, God’s Word says He has more than enough for you. When you remember who you are in Christ and put action with your faith, you can confidently watch His good plan for your life unfold.
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