Who Are You?

 

Ephesians 1:1-14

 Introduction: Have you ever wondered about who you are? Where do you really belong? I have wondered about the same things on more than a few occasions. You're in good company. We perceive that so much of our future depends on having a solid mental grip on our past, but it is important to remember that we are not controlled or limited by our past. In fact, it is our new identity "in Christ" that sparks great interest for me.

This is not an attempt to emphasize human ingenuity over solid theology, mere self-actualization over Christ-centered reality, or personal aggrandizement over godly appreciation. Our real purpose, potential, meaning, significance and uniqueness grows out of this key realization—our new character with God. We are "in Christ" as saved individuals. Our affiliations, ethnicity, acceptance, and values are traced to their proper placement when we understand our identity in Christ first. Also, our need for human or cultural validation disappears as we recognize God himself has already validated each of His children. Notice the following thoughts about us....

Message:

I.               The Significance of Being “In Christ”. Eph. 1:1

“The faithful in Christ Jesus”…defines the “saints” and could be rendered “that is, the believers in Christ Jesus.” These saints were in Christ Jesus, not in Adam or the goddess Artemis of Ephesus. While believers have geographical locations (e.g., “Ephesus”), spiritually they are positioned “in Christ” (cf. “in Christ at Colosse” in Col. 1:2). Paul used “in Christ Jesus,” “in Christ,” or “in Him” quite frequently. In Ephesians 1:1–14 the phrase occurs nine times! Christians have their very life in Christ.^[1]

That is correct...we are viewed by God as being "in Christ Jesus" now...altogether differently than before we were saved. Our validation comes from Him, thereby eliminating the need for affirmations, worthiness, or acceptance that come to us from mere people. If you have felt dismissed or even regarded as unacceptable by others, there is something our heavenly Father wants you to know as one of His children. God is also interested in who you are...not just what you did or didn’t do. He spells out our identity (our beliefs, attitudes, and our external behavior) in several places in the Scriptures, but especially here in Ephesians chapter 1. Beloved, you will never need to wonder if you belong or if you are wanted by God ever again.

There is a healthy type of freedom that comes with this realization. Jesus Christ made all the difference concerning our present situation and our future. Our future is not determined by our past—we are freed from our awful history. We have and can enjoy these blessings because we are properly identified with God through faith in the person of Jesus Christ. Without Christ we are nothing, we have nothing, and we have no position or future! Great should be our love and appreciation of God because of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

II.            The Specifics of Our New Identity. Eph. 1:2-14

I encourage you to recognize, confess, admit, declare, or acknowledge these realities to God daily for a month. Watch God’s truth transform your life.

      1.     I have a gracious heavenly Father-God, and I am his precious Child (Eph. 1:2)

      2.     I presently have all spiritual blessings (my union with Christ and seat with Him) as a part of God’s eternal plan (Eph. 1:3)

      3.     I am selected by God my gracious Father; He wants and treasures even someone like me (Eph. 1:3-4a)

      4.     I am part of God my Father’s wise historical plans; I have an incredible role of holiness and blamelessness assigned to me directly by Him (Ep. 1:4-5)

      5.     I am intentionally adopted by my spiritual Father into His amazing family; I have a place where I belong and a holy inheritance as an adult child (Eph. 1:5)

      6.     I am graciously accepted by God my Father and it is Christ Jesus who affords me this amazing status of acceptance (Eph. 1:6)

      7.     I am redeemed by God and overjoyed with gratitude because it’s through the staggering blood of Christ Jesus my Lord I am so privilege (Eph. 1:7)

      8.     I am astronomically forgiven by God through my stunning Lord Jesus Christ which evidenced God’s indescribable grace (Eph. 1:7)

      9.     I am included in God’s grand purpose; God is not ashamed of me...He did not renounce or disassociate Himself from me (Eph. 1:8-10)

      10.  I have a continuous inheritance and intentional purpose prescribed by God my Father as part of His design and intentions for all His people including me (Eph. 1:11)

      11.   I am sealed (preserved and delivered) by the Holy Spirit because I heard and believed the glorious gospel salvation message (Eph. 1:12-13)        

      12.   I am guaranteed and currently awaiting final and full redemption of my person, and this motivates me to live for the praise of God’s glory (Eph. 1:14)

Beloved, these statements described how God views each of us who are His children! You are wanted, you are desired, you belong, you matter, you count, you have purpose, meaning, significance, a role, and a future "in Christ." It would be great if some celebrated human being said these things about you, but the God of the universe said these instead about you by His grace and because you are "in Christ." Just allow that to sink in... give that truth permission to penetrate your mind and heart. How transformative this is...how freeing these realities are! 

III.         The Spiritual Location of Blessings. Eph. 1:3

Notice, too, that these are “all spiritual blessings” [Eph.1:3]. The simplest way to explain this is to contrast them with the blessings of Israel under the law. In the OT, a faithful, obedient Jew was rewarded with long life, a large family, abundant crops, and protection from his enemies (Deut. 28:2–8). The blessings of Christianity, in contrast, are spiritual, that is, they deal with treasures that are nonmaterial, invisible, and imperishable. It is true that the OT saints also enjoyed some spiritual blessings, but as we shall see, the Christian today enjoys blessings that were unknown in previous times.

Our blessings are in the heavenly places, literally “in the heavenlies.” Instead of being material blessings in earthly places, they are spiritual blessings in the heavenly places.^[2]

Conclusion:

1.     First, with these insights believe God and not your ever-changing emotions. Believe God and not the mere opinions of other people. Just because someone label you or misidentify you does not mean their descriptions are accurate! Don't be afraid to abandon old ideas, perceptions, values, and strategies! Place your confidence in what God said in the Word and reject your feelings as misinformed or incomplete. Reject those inaccurate portrayals by your enemies and others who commonly mischaracterize who you really are. You are free to dismiss, disregard, refuse, and reject such false accusations...even if they come from your culture! If any accusation is true, we must confess our sin to God, ask for their forgiveness, and from that day forward live according to God's expectations. 

2.     Secondly, live for the glory of God and seek to evidence His grace each day (Eph. 1:6, 12, 14). Expect to be misunderstood, get used to being characterized as crazy or delusional, and expect family and friends to talk you out of pursuing God's will. Many will discredit your godly claims. Allow yourself to be consumed with executing the plan and will of God as revealed in the Word and by your personal walk in the power of the Spirit. Surrender to God and His will and don't look back; He really has your eternal good in mind. God reserved a place and role just for you. Do it!

3.     Thirdly, since salvation is all of God’s grace, Christians certainly ought to praise Him for it! And that is why they were chosen: to give Him praise (cf. “Praise be to … God,” v. 3).^[3] There is no greater purpose or reason for existence than His glory and nothing motivates us like the grace of God. Make this your focus and pursuit in all things, and when you stand before Christ at the judgment seat for rewards, He will honor you because you lived to honor Him.

4.     Lastly, I am asking you to accept these statements and promises with every fiber of your being. Take them personally and intimately to recognize, confess, admit, declare, or acknowledge them as living truthful realities to God your heavenly Father daily for at least a month. Personally witness God’s truth setting you free from rejection, insecurity, fear, and inadequacy as you interact with others! There is no need to hide behind a false identity or behave in ways unbecoming of a child of God! You are free now "in Christ" with a new identity and purpose. God is a God of the living and not the dead; transformation is what He desires for you and me. Choose life; choose your new identity in Christ.

^[1] Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 615.

^[2] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1906.

^[3] Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 617.