The meeting of Grace Christian Church. We meet in person and stream services every Sunday at 10:30 AM EST in Manalapan, New Jersey.
Lesson Three: What Is Your True Identity?
- **Introduction**: The lesson explores believers' new spiritual condition after salvation, emphasizing the shift from an old identity "IN ADAM" (spiritual death, separation from God, condemnation, false beliefs) to a new identity "IN CHRIST" (spiritual life, union with God, partaker of divine nature). Topics include diagrams, characteristics of true identity, contrasts with human traits, and key reminders.
- **Day One: Another Way to Understand Salvation and New Condition in Christ**:
- Born "IN ADAM": Inherited spiritual death (1 Cor. 15:22), separation from God (Eph. 4:18; Isa. 59:2), condemnation (Rom. 5:18), and old identity (Prov. 23:7).
- At salvation, God removes believers from "IN ADAM" and places them "IN CHRIST," resulting in spiritual life (1 Cor. 15:22), union with God (John 14:20), and a new identity as a partaker of God's divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4; 2 Cor. 5:17)—sharing godly characteristics without becoming deity.
- Questions and meditation encourage reflection on this transformation.
- **Day Two: Characteristics of True Identity "IN" Christ**:
- Believers are God's "masterpiece" (Eph. 2:10 NLT).
- List of characteristics (with scriptures): Unconditionally loved (Rom. 8:35-39), victorious (1 Cor. 15:57), confident (Ps. 71:5), fearless (Ps. 56:4), sufficient (2 Cor. 9:8), worthy (Ps. 139:14), adequate (2 Cor. 3:5), more than a conqueror (Rom. 8:37), strong (Eph. 6:10), accepted (Rom. 15:7), righteous/holy (Eph. 4:24), forgiving (Col. 3:13), complete (Col. 2:10), free (Gal. 5:1), compassionate/humble/kind/patient (Col. 3:12), secure (Ps. 139:5), saint (Eph. 1:1), sacrificial (John 15:13), others-focused (Phil. 2:3), joyful/peaceful/patient/kind/good/faithful/gentle (Gal. 5:22-23), joint-heir (Rom. 8:17), child of God (John 1:12), possesses mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16), son of God (Gal. 3:26-28), Christ's friend (John 15:15), chosen/holy/dearly loved (Col. 3:12), partaker of Christ (Heb. 3:14), chosen race/royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9-10).
- Diagrams: True identity located in the human spirit (new creation), enlarged to show select characteristics.
- Exercise: Read list aloud, select five desired characteristics, look up verses; meditate and engage God for renewal.
- **Day Three: Expanding on Characteristics**:
- **Righteous**: Not by works; exchanged old unrighteous identity for righteousness (Rom. 10:10; 5:18-19; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 1:11; 3:9). No condemnation (Rom. 8:1).
- **Complete**: Fullness of Christ in believers (Col. 2:9-10); nothing to add.
- **Accepted/Acceptable**: Totally accepted by God (Rom. 15:7); free from earning acceptance or fearing rejection.
- **Secure**: Delivered and set high (Ps. 91:14; Ezek. 34:28); only true security in Christ.
- **Strong**: Strength in the Lord (Eph. 6:10); human strengths are weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:8-10).
- Questions, meditations, and engaging God focus on applying these truths.
- **Day Four: Further Expansions**:
- **Adequate**: From God, not self (2 Cor. 3:5); relieves pressure to find worth elsewhere.
- **Unconditionally Loved/Lover**: God's love in believers (John 17:26; 1 John 4:9; Rom. 8:38-39); nothing separates or changes it; enables loving others unconditionally.
- **Victorious/Conqueror**: Overwhelming victory through Christ (1 Cor. 15:57; Rom. 8:37); reveals human inability, leading to dependence.
- **Free**: Set free from sin, flesh, legalism, world, Satan (Gal. 5:1; Rom. 8:2); past tense—already accomplished.
- **Day Five: Final Expansions**:
- **Mind of Christ**: Infinite wisdom/discernment for life (1 Cor. 2:16); beyond human limits.
- **Saint**: Identity as saint, not sinner (Col. 1:12); sins don't define; "saint who sometimes sins" (Isa. 43:25).
- **Discussion Questions**: Reflect on impactful truths, importance of new identity, diagrams, crucifixion of old identity, union with God.
