Necessity of Identity Every human being carries something unique that sets them apart from all who have lived before and all who will come after: identity. In our world, this identity is recorded and verified through documents, fingerprints, and personal information. It gives us rights and access — allowing us to travel, engage in commerce, and prove our citizenship. Without it, opportunities remain closed. But there is more to identity than legal necessity. The way we understand ourselves — our abilities, our worth, and our potential — profoundly shapes our motivation and direction in life. Appearance, associations, and environment may influence how identity is perceived, but they do not define its deepest reality. True identity cannot be reduced to performance or appearance. The greater truth is this: when you know who you were created to be, you rise above limitations. What others would use to disqualify or restrain cannot hold you back, because real identity is stronger than human qualifications. Just as our earthly identity is established and verified by documents, God has established a greater identity for us — one that cannot be revoked, lost, or challenged. Long before you ever took a breath, before you achieved or failed, your identity was already written in the heart of God. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:4–5: “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ.” This is more than paperwork — this is divine declaration. Your ID in Christ is not based on what you look like, what you can do, or what others say about you. It is based on what God has said, what Christ has done, and what the Spirit has sealed. And when you start living from that identity, the doors of God’s purpose open wider than anything this world could grant. Notes Creation – Identity from our Creator Our true identity cannot come from self, but from our Creator. Genesis 1:27 (NLT) 27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Knowing and submitting to God’s design enables its fulfillment. Psalms 139:14 (NLT) 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. God’s identity overwhelms all obstacles Jeremiah 1:5-8 (NLT) 5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” 6 “O Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” 7 The LORD replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8 And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the LORD, have spoken!” Separation – Identity skewed by sin The writing of identity on the heart – foretelling of Christ’s work Jeremiah 31:33-34 (NLT) 33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the LORD. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the LORD.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the LORD. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Fruit determines identity – God’s people are pure. Ezekiel 37:23 (NLT) 23 They will never again pollute themselves with their idols and vile images and rebellion, for I will save them from their sinful apostasy. I will cleanse them. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God. Solution - Identity with Christ's Purity His identity for us is to be in the image of Jesus, each unique brothers and sisters of the Father. Romans 8:29 (TPT) 29 For he knew all about us before we were born and he destined us from the beginning to share the likeness of his Son. This means the Son is the oldest among a vast family of brothers and sisters who will become just like him. Our new birth certification of identity 2 Corinthians 5:17 (TPT) 17 Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new creation. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new. God chose us to be His own family in Christ. Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT) 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. His people are known by their commitment to good deeds. Titus 2:14 (NLT) 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Decision The necessity of our identity is discovered and empowered as we behold Him in His Word by the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. Overview: 1. Creation – Identity From Our Creator Truth: Our true identity cannot come from self, but from our Creator. Scripture: Genesis 1:27 — “God created human beings in His own image…” Psalm 139:14 — “I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” Declaration: I am wonderfully made by God, created in His image with purpose. Takeaway: Knowing and submitting to God’s design is the only path to its fulfillment. 2. Separation – Identity Skewed by Sin Truth: Sin corrupts and distorts identity, leaving us fractured. Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5–8 — God knew and set apart before birth, even when we feel inadequate. Jeremiah 31:33–34 — God promises a new covenant, writing identity on our hearts. Ezekiel 37:23 — God’s people will be cleansed, set apart, and restored to true identity. Declaration: Sin cannot erase God’s claim on my life. His covenant restores my identity. Takeaway: What sin distorts, God promises to renew. 3. Solution – Identity Restored in Christ Truth: Our identity is secured in Christ — we are God’s children, made new. Scripture: Romans 8:29 — We are destined to share the likeness of Jesus, part of a vast family. 2 Corinthians 5:17 — In Christ, we are a new creation. Ephesians 1:4–5 — God loved, chose, and adopted us before creation. Titus 2:14 — We are His people, freed and committed to good works. Declaration: In Christ, I am chosen, adopted, redeemed, and made new. Takeaway: Your “new birth certificate” is in Christ — this is your unshakable identity. 4. Decision – Living Out Our Identity Truth: Identity becomes power when we behold Christ and walk in His Spirit. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18 — As we behold Him, we are transformed into His image. Declaration: I will behold Christ, reflect His glory, and walk as who I truly am in Him. Takeaway: Identity is not just known — it is lived. The Spirit empowers you to become what God has declared. Declarations: I am wonderfully made by God, created in His image with purpose. Sin cannot erase God’s claim on my life. His covenant restores my identity. In Christ, I am chosen, adopted, redeemed, and made new. I will behold Christ, reflect His glory, and walk as who I truly am in Him.