21 Days of Prayer and Fasting With Rock City ChurchSample

DAY 9: IDENTITY IN CHRIST

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Hebrews 12:1-3

The Bible teaches us that when we accept Jesus’ sacrifice and His salvation, we receive a new identity. Our identity is no longer one of this world, but rather, we become blameless, forgiven, and holy. We are not only saved from our sins, we are saved to holiness. At the center of our identity in Christ is the attribute of holiness, which is something that we are both given and instructed to become.

Growing in holiness means growing out of our previous identity. Growing in holiness means learning to acclimate ourselves with behaving more like children of God, knowing and loving His commands. As we become familiar with this new identity, our old ways will begin to feel incompatible with the life that we have been called to. This is why we read in Hebrews to throw off all sin, which easily entangles, so that we can run with endurance the race set before us. Our salvation is only the starting line. The pursuit of an identity that fully reflects Jesus is a life-long race that requires us to keep our eyes fixed and focused on the One that we are living for.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gift of forgiveness. I will not take Your forgiveness for granted, and I will continue to pursue holiness as I seek to become more like You. Help me to look less and less like this world, but rather, to be conformed to Your perfect and holy image.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Since receiving your new identity, what areas of your life feel incompatible with the new life that Jesus has called you to live?

2. How does knowing that you are a child of God impact your relationship with Him?

3. What three words describe your old identity? What three words describe your new identity?