christ-centered identity

God desires to give each person a secure and beautiful identity based on His righteousness, acceptance, and purpose for our life. Instead of striving for His favor, we live from His favor. When we receive this God-given identity it frees us to confess, forgive, live with integrity and love freely! Christ-centered identity enables us to live fully.

WHO GOD SAYS I AM STATEMENTS

Those who are in Christ are new creations. It’s time to start believing and living fully in who God says you are! Say no to the voice of shame and declare who God says you are.
I have been given the right to be a child of God. John 1:12
I know the truth, and it makes me free. John 8:32
I am a friend of Jesus. John 15:15
I believed, and I received the forgiveness of sins. Acts 10:43
I have peace with God. Romans 5:1
The love of God was poured into my heart. Romans 5:5
I was crucified and buried with Christ, and raised to newness of life in Him. Romans 6:3-5
I am a child of God led by His Spirit. God is my Father. Romans 8:14-15
I am washed, sanctified and justified. 1 Corinthians 6:11
God placed his Spirit in my heart. 2 Corinthians 1:22
I am chosen of God, holy, and beloved. Colossians 3:12
The Lord knows me, and I am His. 2 Timothy 2:19
I have been made complete in Christ. Colossians 2:10
I find grace and receive mercy from God when I need it most. Hebrews 4:16

GROUNDING IDENTITY STATEMENT

Your identity in Jesus is a truth you take with you for the rest of your life. Your identity in Jesus is true on your best days, and your worst days. In order to remember this (and remind yourself when you need it most), you have to make it personal and memorable! You can do this by creating an identity statement that is grounded in the truth of God’s word. 
First, pick two of the “Who God Says I Am” statements from above. We suggest you pick one that really resonates and is easy for you to accept, and one that is harder for you to accept at this time. (That doesn't mean it is less true, it just means you are in the process of agreeing with God about this truth!) This is a great opportunity to ask God which ones He thinks would be most important for you to focus on.
Then, take these two truths and create an identity statement in your own words that is personal to you. Aim for the statement to be short, personal and memorable to you.

Here are a few examples from our church family:
"I am a child of God (Psalm 82:6). He doesn’t see my flaws and loves me unconditionally.  I live in his truth and not the worlds! (John 8:32)"
"I am a friend of God (John 15.15). He likes me even if in a moment I don’t. He has chosen me and made me complete in him (Colossians 3:12, 2:10). This world has nothing I need."
"I am consistently enough for God and everyone (Colossians 2:10). I am dearly loved by my Father. (Romans 8:14-15)"
Once you have written your identity statement, put it somewhere you can see it every day.
Practice saying it out loud. Read and repeat it every day until you can say it from memory.

So you know, this statement will change as you mature towards Christ-centered wholeness.
You will add to it as you grow in relationship with Jesus. You are off to a great start!

SEXUAL IDENTITY

Every culture has ways to help answer the timeless question, “Who am I?” If our identity is centered in Christ, then we must discern if current cultural values are true or false. Jesus said that He came to give you life and life to the full, but in the same breath He also said the enemy of our souls comes to steal, kill and destroy. To say yes to Christ-centered identity is also to say no to the world (false cultural values), the flesh, and the enemy of your soul.

The most pressing cultural value today says that our sexuality defines us. In other words, our sexuality = our identity, and that our sexual identity is ours to discover. According to God’s design this is not only false, but harmful. Sexuality is not who you are, it is how you are. Who you are is created in God’s image, as male and female, to reveal to the world the very image of God. This is a beautiful life that brings goodness and flourishing to our world. Who we are informs what we do and how we choose to live. Through Jesus we are called to live a life of holy sexuality.

Check out these resources below to learn more about the hope and wholeness found in Jesus Christ from voices we trust.

Are you interested in being equipped to help others wrestle with God's vision of sexuality? Let us know (by clicking here)! We have resources and groups meeting to teach and guide people towards Christ-centered wholeness in their identity and sexuality.

Jackie Hill Perry

Author, Teacher & Poet.
Order her book: Gay Girl, Good God

Rosaria Butterfield

Homeschool mother, author,
and speaker.
Order her book: Openness Unhindered

Dr. Christopher Yuan

Speaker, Author, Bible Professor
& Bearer of Christ
Order his book: Holy Sexuality And The Gospel

Sons & Daughters

SONS & DAUGHTERS is a collective of young adults, helping this generation discover the adventure, freedom, and purpose found in our creator.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

Do you have a question or need clarification on something? Do you need help or support in relation to identity or sexuality?
We'd love to connect with you. Click the button below to reach out and we'll be in touch.
We're here for you.