In Christ
I fly on commercial airlines from time to time and when checking in for the flight, they always ask for proof of identification. I cannot tell them, “Here I am. Can’t you see this is me?” That’s not enough. You cannot prove who you are without presenting official identification. In the Kingdom of God, all of us must carry spiritual identification to do spiritual business. The Word of God must be engrafted into your inner man, so you will live in the consciousness of who you are in Christ (James 1:22). It is your official, legal identification. The anointing of the Holy Spirit will confirm that you are who God says you are, and you have what God says you have. Every touch of the anointing will supply your true identity in Christ.
The words “identification, identity, identical, identified” are all related to each other. Identification is defined in Webster’s Dictionary as: “considering or treating as the same; the condition or fact of being the same in all qualities under consideration.” Many people live and die and never really find their true identity. They never figure out who they are, so they act like someone else. Some identify with a celebrity, sports figure, cowboy, gangster, or someone who made an impression on them. Others identify with a problem that they have and call themselves by that name, such as divorced, alcoholic, or bankrupt. Some people identify with their work so much that if they were to lose their job, they’d lose their identity. Many primarily identify with their race or nationality. There are even websites to help you trace your ancestry. Some have experienced identity theft where thieves have broken into their financial account. Others are confused about their identity and even their gender.
But there is good news! Your identity in Christ supersedes every other identity! What happened to Jesus is greater than anything that has ever happened to you. The reality of redemption will swallow up your old identity. Jesus took your identical condition on the cross so you can receive His identical condition. Just because something has happened to you does not mean that is who you are. Your identity is different from your behavior. The revelation of your identity in Christ Jesus must be stronger than any other identification, and that revelation will change your behavior. You can never rise in life above your own understanding of who you are in Christ. It was God who identified us with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, and His being seated in Heaven. Therefore, the strongest revelation in the Bible is who we are in Christ Jesus!
Throughout the Bible, God changed people’s identities. Sometimes they did not even recognize who God said they were. For example, God called Gideon a mighty man of valor when he was living in a cave. He changed Abram to Abraham, the father of many, when he had no children. He changed Abraham’s identity and destiny. Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah, meaning princess. Jacob, the deceiver, was changed to Israel, the prince of God.
Saul of Tarsus name was changed to Paul. He went on to write more than half of the New Testament and establish churches during his three missionary journeys.
Jesus changed Simon, whose name meant reed, to Peter, meaning a piece of the rock. The moment the Holy Spirit gave Peter the revelation of who Jesus was, he said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus immediately turned around and gave Peter his identity. He said, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:16-19) The moment we confess who Jesus is, He will tell us who we are.
All these Bible characters had to have an identity change to carry the spiritual inheritance God wanted them to carry. We too, must have an identity change to fulfill the destiny and dream God has for us. He may call us something when there is no physical evidence to support it, but He reserves the right as our Creator to show us how He sees us and what He sees in us. Jesus actually holds the copyright for humanity! He is the original manufacturer, and He can re-manufacture, remake, and reveal to you who He says you are! Do not let anyone else tell you who you are. Only God, your Creator, has the right to determine your true identity.
Even Jesus Christ found His identity in the scriptures and declared it. (Isaiah 61:1,2; Luke 4:18) Likewise, you must declare your identity in Christ to fulfill your destiny.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. Galatians 2:20
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ... Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it. Ephesians 2:10 (TPT)
FAITH FOR EVERY NATION
For your offering of $20 or more we will send you our brand-new CD set, A Man In Christ and two books, The Power of Identification and Taking Your Place In Christ. We believe these messages will strengthen your faith in this area. You can also download the MHM app and listen to all our messages for free. Remember, you must have a change of identity to fulfill your divine destiny!
This is the message God has mandated for us to take into all the world! A great door of opportunity is before all of us as we partner together. In August, we will be in Turkey for a regional meeting, which will gather pastors and leaders from Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Your prayer and financial support is crucial and will enable us to bring the revelation supply that will ignite and equip them, as well as put our books that have been translated into the languages of Farsi and Turkish into their hands.
A lot of people have asked about the progress of our new Conference Center. We have finished all the construction and now are installing flooring, sound system, screens, TV studio lighting, and ordering the chairs. Our first conference that is open to everyone will be November 7-9, 2023! We are believing for another $200,000 to finish this project! Thank you so much for your generous giving as we have built the Conference Center. We believe it will greatly increase our reach through conferences and the television programs! We declare to you, our partners, that, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus,” Phil. 4:19.