Discover Your Identity in Christ
II Corinthians 5:11-21
INTRODUCTION
Who am I? That is a question that everyone struggles with at some point in their life. For many people, it is a recurring struggle. Often the answer to that question is found in what a person does.
Some people say, I am an athlete. But what happens when age and injury make being an athlete no longer possible? Some answer, I am a parent. But what happens when the children grow up and move away? Some answer, I am an engineer. But what happens when retirement comes. Most of the answers that people give to the question, who am I, are only temporary.
The Bible gives us a different answer to the question, who am I? The answer that the Bible give is not dependent upon our physical abilities, our interpersonal relationships, or our expertise. The ultimate answer to the question, who am I, can only be found in our connection with God through Jesus Christ.
As a part of the human race, we were all created in the image of God to live in relationship with God. Because of sin, that image has been marred and that relationship broken. Jesus came to earth to restore our relationship with God and to renew His image within us. Jesus has made it possible for us to regain our true identity.
By putting our faith in Christ, our identity is wrapped up with Christ. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Because of what Christ did for us on the cross, we are no longer being held guilty for our sin. We have been justified by God.Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1
When we put our faith in Christ, we become a part of God’s family. We are no longer spiritual orphans, but sons and daughters of the King of Kings.How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1
Through our faith in Christ, we are secure in His love. Nothing can separate us from God. We no longer have to worry about the future.For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Through our faith in Christ, we are freed from our bondage to sin. Although sin can still influence us, it is no longer our boss and master. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. [6] For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- Romans 6:5-6
Finally, we are a work in progress. Although we are completely justified before God, we are in the process of being sanctified; having our lives shaped and molded to be like Christ. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Study 1: II Corinthians 5:11-17
In these verses, Paul reveals the ultimate answer to the question, Who am I?
1. In verses 11-12, how is Paul setting the stage for what he is about to teach?
2. What kind of conflicts do you think Paul was facing in Corinth?
3. What is the essence of Paul’s message to the Corinthians?
4. What does Paul say is the goal of our lives?
5. What does it mean to regard people, and Christ, from a worldly point of view?
6. How does Paul answer the question, Who am I, in verse 17?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.Why would Paul open himself up to the scrutiny of the Corinthians?
2. In what ways can the example of our lives either validate or invalidate the message of the Gospel?
3.What does it mean for you that Christ died for all of us?
4. How should understanding Christ’s death affect the way we live our lives?
5. What are some of the ways that we judge other people’s identity?
6. What does it mean to you to be a new creation in Christ?
Study 2: II Corinthians 5:18-19
In these verses, Paul explains the source of our new identity.
1. How does verse 18 relate back to verse 17?
2. What effect did God’s actions have on Paul? In this passage the “we” is referring to Paul.
3. What was the core message that Paul was proclaiming?
4. What is the ministry of reconciliation?
5. What is negated by the truth that “God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ” ?
6. How do these verses relate to our true identity?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. What does it mean for you to be reconciled to God?
2. How does Ephesians 2:8-9 expand and explain what Paul was saying in verse 18?
3. What does it mean to you that God does not hold your sins against you?
4. What did it cost Christ to take your sins upon Himself?
5. How do these verse shape your understanding of who you are?
6. Look at Romans 8:1-4. How does this help you better understand your new identity in Christ ?
Study 3: II Corinthians 5:20-21
Paul wraps up this section by stressing the implications of our new identity in Christ.
1. Paul says that we are Christ’s ambassadors. What is the role of an ambassador?
2. What is the tone of Paul’s words in verse 20?
3. How did Paul view his identity?
4. What was the urgent message that Paul was trying to convey?
5. What is God offering to those who place their faith in Christ?
6. What does it mean to become the righteousness of God?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.Although Paul is using the “royal we” in this passage, it still applies to all of us. What does it mean for you to be an ambassador for Christ?
2. How does seeing yourself as an ambassador shape your identity?
3. Many people have pointed out that the Church is God’s Plan A for winning the world and that He has no Plan B. How do you feel about being God’s Plan A for getting out the message of reconciliation?
4. How would you explain what it means to be reconciled to God to an unbeliever?
5. Why is this message of reconciliation so important?
6. How is living in God’s righteousness an integral part of your identity?
Study 4:I Peter 2:4-10
This passage is one of the greatest explanations of our identity in Christ.
1. How does Peter describe our identity in verse 4-5? What is the significance of this image?
2. What does it mean for us to be living stones?
3. How does Peter describe Christ in verses 6-7? What is the significance of these Old Testament references?
4. Define each of the aspects of our identity in Christ.
a. A chosen people
b. A royal priesthood
c. A holy nation
d. A people belonging to God
5. How does Peter describe the transformation that takes place when we put our faith in Christ?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. What does it mean for you to offer spiritual sacrifices to God?
2. In what ways is Jesus a stumbling block to people?
3. What does it mean to you to be chosen by God?
4. What does it mean to you to have received a high calling?
5. What does it mean to you to be set apart for God’s service?
6. How important is it to you to belong?
7. In what ways has Christ brought you out of darkness and into light?
8. How does verse 10 answer the question, Who am I?
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