Identity: CHRIST

We each have several identities... Man, American, Mum, Entrepreneur, Student, Disabled, etc. However, our primary identity is that which we have permitted to mostly define our sense of self. It is so strong, it informs all other aspects of our person. It literally is us. The real you is your Spirit which has been reborn in Christ Jesus in the image of the Holy and immortal God. Your primary identity therefore (in God's eyes) is tied to this sonship. i.e. You emanate (originate) from him. 1John 4:4 Spiritual growth means we begin to choose to see as God sees. The realization then comes, that to be all he has designed for us, we cannot continue to define ourselves by our body, feelings, culture or any earthly considerations.

This is so vital because what primarily defines us, controls us. This means If your first identity is say Disabled, White or Black, Nigerian or English, what controls and informs the disabled, white, black, Nigerian, English identity (good or bad) will have more power over you and your life than what God has said about you as his child. But as ...Galatians 3:27‭-‬28 NIV says "for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

When we humbly follow Jesus through his word, it becomes clearer that God's expectation is that our primary identity be Christ."You ... were all clothed with Christ. Galatians 3:26‭- ERV This world's system is dictated by the devil. Cultural and fleshly identities are earthly. They all are therefore subject to the influence of the the devil and death. But we are of the Spirit: Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. Romans 8:8‭-‬9 NIV Does this mean we deny all earthly considerations? No. However, because we are in the world but not of the world, we subject earthly considerations to the supremacy of the knowledge we have in Christ. This means, we allow the God's opinion (word) dominate all other considerations.

Because, "What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us."1 Corinthians 2:12 NIV This is the mindset that allows us grow... "until we all arrive at the unity implied by trusting and knowing the Son of God, at full manhood, at the standard of maturity set by the Messiah’s perfection." Ephesians 4:13 CJB

So dear brethren,

we have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, we are not bound by it's regulations and rules. Colossians 2:20 AMP