When you get to know someone, who do you tell them you are? Usually, we define ourselves by the work that we do. We are teachers, coaches, homemakers, doctors, business leaders, etc. In this world, we quickly associate our worth with how well we do these things. Often, this can leave us feeling less than or discontent as we compare ourselves to the world around us.
Let me share with you a truth that has the power to set you free. As a believer in Jesus, you have a title that outlasts all earthly ones. You are a child of God (1 John 3:1). This is your true identity.
Who You Are
I am starting here because knowing who you are informs the type of life you will live. If we do not know who we are, we will not know how to live, nor will we have any motivation to live differently. It’s beautiful to be studying the book of Ephesians together, for the Lord has communicated valuable truths to us regarding our identity through Paul’s Spirit-inspired words.
Here are some truths shared with us in the first chapter alone. These statements are true of believers in Jesus.
We are children of God. (1:4-5)
We are redeemed and forgiven. (1:7)
We are lavished in God’s grace. (1:7-8)
We have an inheritance in heaven. (1:11)
The Holy Spirit lives in us. (1:13)
Because of God’s grace and our faith in Jesus, this is our identity. By grace through faith alone can we claim these truths over our lives. There is nothing we did or could do to deserve these standings, but we get to step into them with confidence because of the mighty love of God for us (2:8-9).
When our identity is found and secured in Christ, it changes the way we live. We see this portrayed in the life of Paul. To begin his letter to the church in Ephesus, he makes a declaration of who he is: an Apostle of Christ Jesus (1:1). Paul recognizes that he has been saved by the blood of Jesus alone. He confirms that his life is set apart for the glory of God, and he lives differently because of this truth.
I would encourage you to read Philippians 2, where Paul’s gratitude for salvation is again so remarkably expressed. Here he encourages believers to live differently as blessed recipients of God’s great love. In summary, when we taste and see God’s rich grace for us, we can not help but desire to live lives that honor Him.
How You Live
Now that we know who we are in Christ — and how significant and compelling a truth this is — we can move on to the charge Paul gives the church: to live a life worthy of the calling we have received (4:1).
What then is the call? The call was given to us by Jesus, and it is to love others as He has loved us (John 13:34-35). All throughout scripture, we find the purpose we were made for. First, we have been created to know the Lord and exist in relationship with Him. Second, we have been created to display God’s glory by the way we love others, imitating Christ.
In Galatians, Paul describes this as faith working through love (5:6). What a beautiful purpose!
With this truth in mind, we are to walk in a manner that honors the One who made us and has called us to more. We are to live lives full of humility, gentleness, patience, love, and peace (Ephesians 4:2-3).
The beautiful thing is that we are not left alone in this. Jesus has paved the way for us, and He is the perfect embodiment of each of these qualities.
He humbled Himself to the point of death (Philippians 2:8). His heart is gentle (Matthew 11:29). He is patient with us when we sin against Him, and forgiving us when we repent (2 Peter 3:9; Psalm 103:8-12). He is love embodied (1 John 4:8-10). He Himself is our peace, reconciling us to God through His body and sacrifice (Ephesians 2:14-16).
Not only has Jesus set the example, but He has given us His own Spirit to help us by living in us. When we walk with Him, He bears His fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:16, 22-23).
As believers, we are the very temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). In the Old Testament, the purpose of the temple was to display God’s glory. It was a place of worship, housing the Lord’s presence. Now, the temple is in us. What a miracle, what an honor! You and I are places of worship, carrying the Lord’s presence wherever we go.
We get to display the glory of the Lord to the world. He is our light, and we are the light of the world (Micah 7:8; Matthew 5:14).
Friend, walk in confidence today knowing you are the Lord’s beloved. Let’s live loved by imitating Christ, existing in the marvelous purpose God created us for.
