In Luke 3:21-4:13, we read the story of Jesus’ baptism and temptation. After his baptism, during prayer, Jesus received affirmation from God regarding his identity and vocation. If you’re like me, maybe you’ve struggled with the questions, “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” Don’t you wish you could experience something dramatic like seeing heaven opened up and hearing the voice of God speak, telling you this is who you are, and this is your purpose in life?!
For everyone who makes the decision to follow Jesus, God the Father speaks words similar to those Jesus heard: “You are my child, my dear child! I’m delighted with you!”
As “adopted” children (Romans 8:15-17) in the family of God, the New Testament tells us we have a new identity — who we are is now wrapped up in who Jesus is. All our “credentials” for acceptance have been removed, and that is a very good thing! We are who we are because of God’s grace and the faithfulness of Jesus.
But, if we’re honest, we’ll have to admit that we are often tempted to believe we are who the world says we are, who our paycheck says we are, who our friends say we are, or who our achievements say we are. The temptations we face aren’t exactly like the ones Jesus faced, but every Christian will be tested at the points which matter most: identity and vocation.
A major challenge in our lives is to learn to recognize the voices that seductively whisper lies about who we are and to learn to distinguish them from the voice of God our Father. Then, we can use the direct and simple weapons provided in the Bible to rebut the lies of the devil.
That’s what the following promises are meant to do – list a few of the key truths about who God says we are to combat the lies we’re apt to hear every day.
Because I am an adopted child of God, I am completely accepted:
- I am God’s child (John 1:12)
- I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15)
- I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
- I am united with the Lord and I am one spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17)
- I have been bought with a price; I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19,20)
- I am a member of Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:27)
- I have been adopted as God’s child (Ephesians 1:5)
- I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18)
- I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (Colossians 1:14)
- I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)
Because I am an adopted child of God, I am totally secure:
- I am free forever from condemnation (Romans 8:1,2)
- I am assured that God works all things together for good (Romans 8:28)
- I cannot be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:35-39)
- I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God (2 Cor. 1:21-22)
- I am confident that God will finish the good work He started in me (Philippians 1:6)
- I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
- I am hidden with Christ (Colossians 3:3)
- I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a self discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)
- I can find mercy and grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16)
- I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)
Because I am an adopted child of God, I am deeply significant:
- I am the salt of the earth and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14)
- I am a branch of the true vine, Jesus, a channel of His life (John 15:15)
- I have been chosen to bear fruit (John 15:16)
- I am a personal, Spirit-empowered witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
- I am a temple of God (2 Corinthians 3:16)
- I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
- I am God’s co-worker (2 Corinthians 6:1)
- I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 2:6)
- I am God’s workmanship, created for good works (Ephesians 2:10)
- I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)
- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
(These New Testament promises were compiled by Neal Anderson, Freedom in Christ Ministries)
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