Much of what we value stems from the various aspects of identity as individuals. Our gender, temperament, and heritage all affect our understanding of our world and ourselves and, therefore, affect our values. However, as we enter into a relationship with Christ, we are challenged to reevaluate our values and how we prioritize them.
We are dual citizens: of earth and of heaven. As we realize this, we feel our heavenly identity crashing down on our earthly identity. We will spend a lifetime scrutinizing how we prioritize our values in light of our commitment to follow Christ. As we do so, our heavenly values will sometimes affirm, sometimes modify, and sometimes completely reject our earthly values.
Let’s look at this heavenly identity, which is best known as our identity in Christ.
In his letters, the apostle Paul often used the expression “in Christ.” Although we can’t come close to addressing the breadth of this phrase in our session, we want to look at a fundamental aspect of being “in Christ.” To be “in Christ” means to share in Christ’s death and resurrection, and to be placed under the headship of Christ rather than Adam means that we now live with a completely different attitude toward everything we do. These ideas are laid out in Romans 5:12-21 and 6:1-11.
1. Understanding our Position in Christ is critical to our view of self-worth.
2. Understanding our Identity in Christ is critical to a fruitful Christian walk.
Our Former Predicament (2:1-3, 11-12, 14-16)
1. Dead in sin resulting to:
a. Walking According to the course of this world, and the spirit of disobedience.
b. Indulging in lust of the flesh and mind.
c. Appointment unto wrath
d. Enmity with God
2. Strangers and Outcasts resulting to:
a. Exclusion from receiving the covenant blessing.
b. Having no hope
Our Favored Position (2:9-10)
God’s rich mercy and grace at work…
a. …raised us from death to life, and seated in the high places in Christ
b. …saved us and causes us to produce good works.
c. …brought us near to Him by Christ’s blood
d. …granted us peace with God, putting an end to the enmity.
e. …made us fellow citizens with the saints in God’s household.
f. …gave us access in one Spirit to the Father.
g. …includes us to the temple that provides dwelling for God’s Spirit on earth.
The central events of Christianity, Christ’s death and resurrection, are the foundation of the Christian life.
Dying with Christ means dying to the things that used to run our lives. For instance, while material wealth is the central motivation in many people’s lives, Christ calls us to relinquish pursuing wealth as a core motivation. The same is true of any other vice that keeps us from fully loving God and people.
a. What is the significance of death and dying?
b. When does a person die with Christ?
Rising with Christ means rising to a new way of living under His kingship. Before we
came under Christ’s kingship, our identity was dominated by concerns other than loving God and loving people as Jesus did. There was no way we could transform ourselves to make us acceptable to our perfect Judge and Maker. Whether we knew it or not, objectives and motivations that didn’t focus on loving God and others were running our lives.
a. What is the significance of rising from the dead?
b. How can a person die and live again?
See Romans 6:1-14 - Walk in newness of life.
Certainly, our earthly identity may contain characteristics that influenced us in godly ways. For instance, our parents may have taught us to be honest. Yet sin and offensive independence from God characterized our lives. Ironically, this “independence” was evidence of Adam’s control. When we come under Christ’s kingship, by God’s grace through our faith, we gain a heavenly component to our identity.
To say that we have a new component is a gross understatement. Coming under Christ’s kingship ought to so transform our understanding of our identity that, in many respects, we no longer consider ourselves the same people. We are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). The most basic truth of our identity, our position before God, is determined by who our King is, even though Adam’s realm may still influence us. And our actions will reflect our participation in one kingdom or the other, for each kingdom has certain “deeds” or “fruit” characteristic of it. The deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) result from being in Adam, whereas the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) grows when we are in Christ.
Many people think being saved is like eternal life insurance. In reality, it’s more like a pledge of allegiance to a new King. Our Sovereign God doesn’t compel us to produce something for Him that He lacks. Our allegiance to Him requires us simply to love our fellow subjects actively and also to love those who claim no such allegiance—our King’s enemies. How strange this kingdom is to a world that understands the love of friends but knows nothing of loving enemies! But the world has not experienced the love of Christ. We love those who are not followers of our King because we realize that they may simply be enemies who have not yet become brothers. We love fellow believers because we share the joy of being loved by our Great King and we are, therefore, now brothers. We believers are individuals in a community marked by Love, whose name is Jesus.
Questions for Application
1. What are some of the “earthly values” we have that clash with the “heavenly values” the Holy Spirit intends for us to have?
2. Name some of your struggles and discern why they remain to be struggles for you.
3. How do we live out our identity and position in Christ on a daily basis? Take this question to a personal applicable level and identify way and means to live as authentic Christians, and not a double-life.
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