Anchoring Your Identity IN Christ

It’s very tough for many believers to consider themselves more than conquerors even though they read and initially understand Romans 8:37, which says (ESV) “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” What is listed prior to verse 37 provides a description of circumstances many people find themselves in from time to time.

TRUTH: In verse 37 Paul shows that no matter what you may face, no matter what you have to go through, you are a conqueror through Christ—and yes, even when you don’t feel like it. Your position as a child of God is free from condemnation, and you are righteous and holy before your Heavenly Father through Jesus. Nothing can take away what is rightfully yours when you understand everything you have IN Christ.

We’ve shared a lot on this topic because it’s pivotal to walking in freedom in Christ. It’s crucial for continued growth in God’s truth, and it’s fundamental in God’s grace working in your life. That’s what Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:9 ESV, “[God] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” You can’t operate in victory and joy when you don’t know you’ve already received victory and joy.

Paul elaborates on this further in Ephesians 3:16-18, NV. “¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” You ARE filled with the fullness of God. It’s a done deal b because you are a child of God, you’re IN Christ.

What do you do with the truth of being IN Christ? What do you say to yourself when you think “I’m not good enough”? The enemy will try anything to get you to think defeated thoughts by making the suggestions personal—“I have an addiction” or “I have an eating disorder”—when you use the personal pronoun. It’s at that point when you’ve fallen for his lies. That’s when he can keep you in bondage and defeated. That’s when he doesn’t want you to recognize that you God lives in you and you are IN Christ, and you have the power to defeat him.

That’s why it’s important—necessary—to have a strong foundation in your new life in Jesus. A building won’t stand long if its foundation isn’t secure. Your foundation is the rock of ages. He is your anchor who will never let go, who securely holds you in the palm of His hand.

I read the testimony of a former drug addict while in his addition he’d hear his own thoughts saying “I’m an addict, and I’ll always be.” Yet, when he actually heard the truth of Romans 8:37 and realized he was a new person IN Christ now, he rejected the damning declaration in his life and declared out loud that he was not an addict. He continued declaring that truth. As he did, he immediately felt God’s power flowing in his life and knew his addiction was gone, never to return. With the declaration of his freedom and deliverance, the mental stronghold the devil had placed on him was gone, broken. He was set free, no longer condemned. This young man continued anchoring himself in his identify IN Christ.

The truth of who believers are IN Christ wasn’t always at the forefront of Christian preaching many years ago. It’s interesting that in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, some preachers were understanding their born-again position and authority in Christ. E.W. Kenyon recognized this and said “We have preached condemnation and sin so long that we do not know how to preach righteousness and to tell the believers what they are IN CHRIST. When someone does tell them, they feel that it is false teaching.”

APPLICATION: The more you anchor your identity in who God says you are IN Christ, the more you’ll defeat lying thoughts, thoughts of not measuring up enough for God’s blessings. The truth of knowing who you are IN Christ is the solid anchor that will take you through anything you encounter here on earth. And, operating in your authority not only pleases the Lord but establishes you in an anchor that is steady and lasts through the ups and downs of life.

It’s the truth of Romans 5:17 ESV that states “those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” It’s a statement of fact. You will reign in life when you know your authority IN Christ. Child of God it’s time to start using what is yours. It’s time to put God’s Word to work in your life. It’s time to operate in the authority He’s given you. You’ll be amazed and marvel at all that He will show you and do through you. It’s time to be anchored. It’s time to see some changes in your own life.

Let’s not limit the Lord in any way. Let’s not water down who He is and what he has done and can do on our behalf. Israel missed some provisions and blessings when they didn’t think/believe God could do what He told them He would do. Let’s operate in faith believing that what God is possible IS; that what He promised is true; and that we are able to rise above the daily circumstances and stand strong in the authority He’s given us, knowing we’re His child.

Exciting days are ahead child of God. God’s people are coming into a greater understanding of who they are In Him. They are established in Love, letting His love flow through them to others. They are changing the world through His love and grace, so let’s get on board!

Let your meditations of these verses further strengthen and equip you to walk in your authority through His love.

Romans 8:37, ESV – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Make It Personal: No matter what situations and difficulties I encounter in life, I am equipped as a child of God to conqueror and walk in joy through these times because I have His authority.

2 Timothy 1:9 ESV – “[God] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.”

Make It Personal: I can operate in victory and joy because of His grace and love operating in my life, provided by Jesus. I have the right to use God’s authority as His child.

Ephesians 3:16-18, NV – “¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Make It Personal: I receive strength daily through the Holy Spirit as Jesus dwells in my heart and I am growing deeper in His love so that His fullness is seen in and through me as I operate in His love and grace.

Romans 5:17 ESV – “those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

Make It Personal: Because I have received the abundance of God’s grace and righteousness through Jesus, I continue to reign in life each day because of His love. I won’t have days of defeat. I walk in His authority and I have peace and joy.

ASK YOURSELF

How do you counter times of defeat in your life?

What do you tell yourself during difficult times?

How are these scriptures providing fortitude to keep moving forward, even through tough times?

How, or in what ways, do you see yourself operating in greater authority?