You need to spend time meditating on passages like Colossians 3, Ephesians 2, Romans 6 and 1 Peter 2. These passages will help you solidify your understanding of your new identity in Christ. But do more than read and think. Pray. Sing. Worship God for your new identity in Christ. Then, as you’re living your life, preach these truths to yourself. Regularly remind yourself of who you are in Christ.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:1-4

If you are a Christian, you not only belong to Christ but you are also united with Christ. If Step 1 in killing sin is to realize what the call is (to kill sin), to whom call is addressed (Christians) and the means for fulfilling the call (the power of the Holy Spirit), then Step 2 is to fully understand who you are in Christ and to begin living life out of a mindset that comes from your identity in Christ. 

You belong to Christ and you are united with Christ. That means:

1. You have been raised with Christ.
2. Spiritually speaking, in your union with Christ, you are seated with Christ in the heavens at the right hand of God. (Eph. 2:6)
3. You have been crucified with Christ; thus, you have died to sin. This means that sin is no longer your master and you are no longer compelled to obey its desires. (see also Gal. 2:20 and Eph. 6:1-14)
4. Your real life is hidden with Christ in God. Christ is your life.

You need to spend time meditating on passages like Colossians 3, Ephesians 2, Romans 6 and 1 Peter 2. These passages will help you solidify your understanding of your new identity in Christ. But do more than read and think. Pray. Sing. Worship God for your new identity in Christ. Then, as you’re living your life, preach these truths to yourself. Regularly remind yourself of who you are in Christ.

Here are some prayers based on these passages:

Colossians 3:1-5 Heavenly Father, thank you for raising me with Christ. I don’t deserve such rich favor as to be united with Christ at your right hand. Thank you for such amazing grace. Thank you that, through the cross, I have died with Christ to sin and sin is no longer my master. Thank you for redeeming me and giving me true life in Christ. You are my Father forever. Give me the grace to set my mind on things above today and to look forward by faith to that day when Christ, who is my life, will appear and I will appear with him in glory. Amen.

Ephesians 2:1-10 Heavenly Father, when I was dead in my sins and transgressions, living in rebellion against you, you made me alive with Christ. You have saved me by grace and seated me with Christ in the heavenly places. You have made me your workmanship and have given me good works to do. You have been so gracious to me and have transformed my life in every way. Give me the grace to walk in the good works you have prepared beforehand for me and not in the course of this world, in the paths of sin. May I live in the new life I have in Christ today. Amen.

Romans 6:1-14 Heavenly Father, you have united me to Christ in his death. I have died with Christ by your grace, and I trust that by your grace I will be raised with him in glory. One who has died has been set free from sin. You have given me the power to walk in newness of life. Let me live to you, O God, and let not sin reign in my mortal members, in my body. Let me live in the power of the cross for the glory of your name. Amen.

1 Peter 2:1-12 Heavenly Father, I have tasted and seen that you are good. You have given me new life in Christ and have made me a living stone in your holy temple. You have made me a part of your chosen race, your royal priesthood, your own people. Let me live to proclaim your excellencies. Let me walk in the marvelous light of your presence, your word and your love.  Give me the grace to abstain from the passions of my flesh, which wage war against my soul. Let me live as a member of God’s household, as one who has received mercy. May other around me see the good works you enable me to do and give you glory! Amen. 

Here are some great worship songs to help you praise God and live out your new identity:

• Abide with Me
• Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
• And Can It Be
• Arise, My Soul, Arise
• My Worth is Not in What I Own
• My Heart is Filled with Thankfulness

Then, as you live your life, keep reminding yourself of who you are. Preach these truths to yourself. The key to holy living is to know who you are in Christ and then learn to be yourself!

Jason A. Van Bemmel is a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America. This article appeared on his blog Ponderings of a Pilgrim Pastor and is used with permission.

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