Psalm 100 says, “A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endures to all generations.” This week we will look at the third key to living the overcoming life in Christ, which is to know who you are in Christ. In vs. 3 it says that we should know that God is our Maker, and that we are the sheep of His pasture. Why is this a key?

If you believe that your nothing more than an advanced ape, a product of billions of years of evolution, and that you are not made by God with a purpose and destiny - then you will naturally question your worth. After all, how much is a random “blob of tissue” worth? However, if you know that you are created in the image of God, created for His purpose and pleasure - then that will bring dignity to your life, and you will live with a sense of Divine destiny.

God is our Maker (Ps 95:6). His hands formed us (Ps 119:73, 139:13-18). Before we were formed, He knew us and had a plan for us (Jer 1:5). Even if you think you are an accident – you are no accident to God. We are created in the very image of God (Gen 1:26-28), and made to have dominion on this earth. Unfortunately, something dreadful happened. Adam and Eve were told not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil, or in that day they would surely die (Gen 2:17). They ate, but did they die “that day”? In their spirit, yes. Not death as in destroyed or ceased to exist, but they were now separated from God by sin. Yet death of the soul and body began, and eventually happened as well.

Because of Adam’s disobedience, sin and death passed upon all men. The human race inherited it (Rom 5:12). You may not think that is fair, but it is truth. However, there is good news. Jesus came to restore us to God. He came to fix what Adam messed up. He came to make us once again one with God. He did it by paying the penalty for our sin, and He bought us out of the Satan’s dominion. When we receive the person of Jesus Christ, Who is God in the flesh, we become a new creation (2Cor 5:17). When we are born again, we are created in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:8-10, Gal 6:15). The new man is created instantly truly righteous and truly holy (Eph 4:23-24). We are again spiritually created in the image of God (Col 3:9-10). This is awesome!

You see, man is a three part being – spirit, soul, and body (1Thess 5:23). When Adam sinned, he instantly died (spiritually), and progressively died in soul and body. Yet, when we are born again, we instantly become alive spiritually (new creation), and progressively become alive in our souls (By renewing our mind in God’s Word, praying, practicing our faith, receiving the mind of Christ [1Cor 2:16], etc.) and in the end receive an immortal glorified body (Phip 3:21, 1Jn 3:2). This is who we are. This is the reality of the new creation.

I won’t give the references because of space, but here are some new creation truths: In Christ Jesus You are - God’s child, unconditionally loved, accepted, blessed, saved, given eternal life, forgiven, eternally redeemed, eternally perfected, made complete, can do all things, more than a conqueror, always triumphant, victorious, a world overcomer, an heir of God, given the measure of faith, given God’s power, joy, peace, grace, His Spirit, His gifts, and made righteous. In Christ you are not rejected, weak, distressed, in despair, forsaken, destroyed or hopeless. In Christ you are healed, prosperous, wise, sanctified, given all things, you live, you move, you exist, your prayers are heard, your prayers are answered. This is who we are in Christ. Knowing this is a fundamental key in being an overcomer. Will you exalt God’s Word above your circumstances? Will you declare this is the truth, despite what you may see or experience? Will you be carnally minded – which is death; or will you be spiritually minded - which is life and peace (Rom 8:6)? God’s Word is eternal truth; but is it eternal truth to you? Think on these things (Phip 4:8). Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!