Proximity Where we live has a profound impact on who we are. Our surroundings shape our identity—people in Asia often see themselves differently from those in Europe, and someone from Texas may carry themselves much differently than someone from California. Identity is also formed through proximity. Those who are close to us influence us far more than those who are far away. Where you dwell—and who you dwell near—plays a major role in defining who you become. Change your environment or the people you stay close to, and your sense of identity will inevitably shift. God understood this truth, and for the purpose of transforming our identity, the Father sent Jesus. His mission was to bring us into a new dwelling place—close to Him. Jesus removed every barrier that once separated us from God so that we don’t simply visit His presence, but live in it. He now resides within us, promising never to leave or forsake us, creating a constant and intimate proximity to the Father. Yet for this relationship to flourish, our participation is necessary. He is always near, dwelling within us, but we must choose to draw near to Him in return. As we live in Him and prioritize His presence, His nature begins to shape every part of who we are. True transformation—beholding Him and becoming like Him—only occurs when nearness to Him is our highest priority. When we stay close, becoming one with Him ceases to be an effort and becomes a natural outcome of being continually in His presence. Notes Identification Necessity of Identity - From our Creator – natural and spiritual Necessity of Identity – From a slave to a child Nature – From sinful to righteous Spoken Identity – Sounds from the mouth that Identify the heart The Mind of Christ – To participate, must acquire knowledge The Body of Christ – Till a heavenly one, this one is His temple Lamp of the Body – From seeing to being Beholding to Become – Exposure to the Image – identity Identifying Fruit – Shown Him to be known by His fruit Proximity – From with to One Identifying sign – child with the name, “God is with us” Matthew 1:22-23 (NLT) 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” In following, being with affects who you become. Matthew 4:18-22 (NLT) 18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him. In and near enables production John 15:4-5 (TLB) 4 Take care to live in me, and let me live in you. For a branch can’t produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from me. 5 “Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can’t do a thing. With obedience comes residence. John 14:23 (NLT) 23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. You’re loyal to what you’re close to James 4:8 (NLT) 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Our nearness to God is determined by our choice to stay 2 Chronicles 15:1-2 (NLT) 1 Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded, 2 and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The LORD will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. Have become the residence of Christ Galatians 2:20 (NLT) 20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Who we are with is identified by our bold actions. Acts 4:7-13 (NLT) 7 They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, 9 are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” 13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. From our nearness comes an identifying fragrance in victory. 2 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV) 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. Dwelling in Him in the wonder of His greatness. Psalms 73:28 (NLT) 28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. Overview Where you live and who you’re near shapes who you become — proximity determines identity. Your environment and relationships influence your self-perception and transformation. God designed identity formation through dwelling and nearness, not distance. The Father sent Jesus to bring us close — removing every barrier to His presence. Through Christ, we are invited not just to visit God’s presence, but to live in it. Jesus resides within us, promising never to leave nor forsake us — constant intimacy. For this relationship to grow, we must reciprocate proximity by drawing near to Him. As we abide in Him, His nature reshapes every part of who we are. Transformation happens through continual beholding — nearness leads to likeness. When closeness becomes our priority, oneness with Christ becomes our identity. Prayer: I am here now in Your presence, made pure by Your blood, and choosing you as the One I will remain close to. I’m grateful for the promise of Your presence and savor now the wonder of Your goodness. As I behold You alone and up close, cause my identity to be known in the fruit that is born. May others know You because I’ve drawn close. Declarations: I am one with Christ; His presence defines my identity. I dwell in Him, and He dwells in me. My nearness to God transforms my nature and renews my mind. Everywhere I go, I spread the fragrance of knowing Him. My life testifies that I have been with Jesus. I love His presence and residence far more than any other.