A New Identity In Christ. 2nd Corinthians 5:17 Series

“A NEW IDENTITY IN CHRIST”

This is the second in our series, Leaving the Past — Living the New

Church, hold up your Bible and say it with me:

“This is my Bible.

I am what it says I am.

I have what it says I have.

I can do what it says I can do.

Today, I will be taught the Word of God.

I boldly confess—my mind is alert, my heart is receptive, and I will never be the same again.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Last week, we talked about letting go of the past.

Today, we’re going to talk about who you are now.

Because here’s the truth:

You don’t move forward in freedom just by letting go of what was—

you move forward by embracing who God says you are now.

Many people have accepted Jesus as Savior, but never accepted their new identity.

They say they’re forgiven,

but they still introduce themselves as broken.

They say they’re saved,

but they still define themselves by their worst moment.

The enemy is very good at reminding you of who you used to be.

But God is faithful to remind you of who you are becoming.

And until your identity changes, your behavior will keep pulling you backward.

Turn with me in your Bible to 2nd Corinthians 5:17 and say, "Amen" when you are there.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:

The old has gone, the new is here!”

Notice what this verse does not say.

It does not say:

“You are a slightly improved version of your old self.”

“You are a repaired version of your past.”

It says:

You are a new creation.

That means your past no longer has the authority to name you.

Yet so many people still live under old labels:

“I’m an addict.”

“I’m a failure.”

“I’m a felon.”

“I’m damaged goods.”

Those may describe what you went through, but they do not describe who you are in Christ.

I’ve watched people walk into church fresh out of addiction or incarceration,

and when they introduce themselves, they lead with their worst chapter.

But when Jesus met people, He never introduced them by their sin.

He said things like:

“Follow Me.”

“Your faith has made you whole.”

“Go and sin no more.”

Jesus didn’t see people for who they were—

He saw them for who they were becoming.

FREEDOM FLOWS FROM IDENTITY, NOT EFFORT

John 8:36 says:

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Notice the order:

Jesus sets you free first.

Then you live free.

Most people try to reverse that.

They say:

“If I do better, I’ll be free.”

“If I stay clean long enough, I’ll be forgiven.”

“If I prove myself, I’ll belong.”

But Christianity is not behavior modification—

it’s identity transformation.

You don’t obey to become a child of God.

You obey because you are a child of God.

When you still see yourself as a slave,

you’ll keep going back to slave behavior.

But when you see yourself as free,

your desires begin to change.

A man who believes he’s still in prison will act like a prisoner—

even if the door is wide open.

Some of you are standing in freedom,

but you’re still thinking like you’re locked up.

GOD GIVES YOU A NEW NAME AND A NEW POSITION

Ephesians 1:3–7 tells us who we are in Christ:

Chosen

Adopted

Redeemed

Forgiven

Blessed

God doesn’t just forgive your sin—

He restores your position.

You are not tolerated by God.

You are adopted.

You are not barely saved.

You are fully accepted.

The enemy says, “You’ll always be what you did.”

God says, “You are who I redeemed.”

I’ve seen people who once walked with their head down, ashamed of their past,

suddenly lift their head when they realized,

“I belong to God.”

Nothing changed overnight externally—

but everything changed internally.

When identity shifts, destiny follows.

Let me ask you today:

How do you see yourself when no one else is around?

What name do you call yourself in private?

Are you living from your past—or from your position in Christ?

You will never rise above the identity you accept.

If God calls you free, stop calling yourself bound.

If God calls you redeemed, stop calling yourself ruined.

If God calls you His child, stop living like an orphan.

Let’s pray together.

“Lord Jesus, today I receive my new identity.

I reject every false label.

I release shame, guilt, and self-condemnation.

I accept who You say I am—forgiven, free, chosen, and loved.

Renew my mind and reshape my heart.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

If you’re here today and you say:

“I’ve been living under old labels.”

“I know Jesus, but I don’t live free.”

“I want my identity restored.”