My new identity

The momentous feast of Pentecost reminds us that the first Christian community was sealed with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has given the believers of that time and us a truly new identity. This new identity is what I’m talking about today. Some people ask themselves: Can I hear the voice of God, the voice of Jesus, or the testimony of the Holy Spirit? We find an answer in Romans:

Roman 8,15-16 “For you have not received a spirit of slavery to fear again; but you have received a spirit of adoption, by which we cry, Abba, dear Father! The Spirit of God himself bears witness to our human spirit that we are children of God."

My identity is what sets me apart

Because not everyone knows us, it is necessary to have a valid identity card (ID) with you. It gives us access to people, countries and also to money and goods. We find our original identity in the Garden of Eden:

1. Mose 1,27 Schlachter Bible «And God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; He created them male and female"

As Adam was created by God, he was in his image, distinctive and unique. His original identity marked him as a child of God. That's why he could say to God: Abba, dear father! But we know the story of our first ancestors, Adam and Eve, in whose footsteps we followed them. The first Adam and all people after him lost this one spiritual identity at the hands of the cunning deceiver, the father of lies, Satan. As a result of this identity theft, all people lost the crucial characteristic that distinguished them, whose children they were. Adam, and we with him, lost the image of God, lost spiritual identity and lost - life.

Therefore we see that the punishment, death, applied to us too, which God commanded when Adam and we, his descendants, disobeyed his voice. Sin and its effect, death, has robbed us of our divine identity.

Ephesians 2,1  "Ye also were dead through your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked, according to the manner of this world, under the mighty one that reigneth in the air, even the Spirit, that is, Satan, who is at work in them at this time children of disobedience"

Spiritually, this identity theft had a serious impact.

1. Mose 5,3  "Adam was 130 years old and fathered a son in his likeness and in his image, and he named him Seth."

Set was created after his father Adam, who had also lost his likeness with God. Although Adam and the Patriarchs grew very old, they all died and people with them to this day. All lost life and the spiritual likeness of God.

Experience new life in God's image

Only when we receive new life in our spirit will we be recreated and transformed into God's image. In doing so, we regain the spiritual identity God intended for us.

Colossians 3,9-10 Schlachter Bible "Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man by his deeds and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge, according to the image of him who created him."

Because we follow Jesus, the truth, there is no question that we want to lie. These two verses therefore confirm that in pulling out of the ancient human nature we were crucified with Jesus and clothed with the divine nature through Jesus' resurrection. The Holy Spirit bears testimony to our spirits that we have been renewed in the image of Jesus. We are called and sealed with the Holy Spirit. As a new creation we already live like Christ in our human spirit and, like him, live out the filiation of God. Our new identity is in truth renewed and the truth tells us who we really are at heart. Beloved sons and daughters of God together with Jesus the firstborn.

Our rebirth turns human understanding upside down. Nicodemus was already thinking about this rebirth and encouraged him to ask Jesus. In our minds we hang like a caterpillar and then like a cocoon upside down on a wooden box. We experience how our old skin becomes unsuitable and too tight. As a human caterpillar, doll and cocoon, we are something like a natural changing room: in it we transform from a caterpillar into a delicate butterfly or from human nature into divine nature, with divine identity.

This is exactly what happens in our salvation through Jesus. It's a fresh start. The old cannot be put in order; it can only be replaced entirely. The old disappears completely and the new comes. We are born again in God's spiritual image. This is a miracle that we experience and celebrate with Jesus:

Philippians 1,21  “For Christ is my life, and to die is my gain.”

Paul develops this thought in the letter to the Corinthians:

2. Corinthians 5,1  «If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come into being."

This news is comforting and hopeful as we are now safe in Jesus. As a summary of what happened, we read:

Colossians 3,3-4 New Life Bible «For you died when Christ died, and your true life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, will be known to the whole world, then it will also be seen that you share his glory with him."

We are together with Christ, so to speak, enveloped in God and hidden in him.

1. Corinthians 6,17  “But whoever adheres to the Lord is one spirit with him.”

It is a great joy to hear such words from the mouth of God. They give us ongoing encouragement, comfort, and peace that we cannot find anywhere else. These words proclaim the good news. It is what makes our lives so precious because the truth sums up what expresses our new identity.

1. John 4,16  «And we have recognized and believed the love that God has for us: God is love; and whoever abides in love abides in God and God in him."

Receiving wisdom through the Holy Spirit

God is generous. His nature shows that he is a happy giver and gives us rich gifts:

1. Corinthians 2,7; 9-10 "But we speak of the wisdom of God, which is hidden in mystery, which God predestined before all times for our glory; But it has come as it is written (Isaiah 64,3): What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no man has entered the heart, which God has prepared for those who love him. But God revealed it to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God."

It would be very tragic if we tried to belittle this truth with human wisdom. What great things Jesus has done for us, we should never belittle and belittle with misunderstood humility. It is up to us to gratefully and understandingly accept the gift of God with divine wisdom and to pass this experience on to others. Jesus bought us dearly with his sacrifice. With the new identity he has given us his own righteousness and holiness, dressed like a dress.

1. Corinthians 1,30 E.g. "But He God ordained that you should be in Christ Jesus, who became our wisdom, thanks to God, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption"

Words such as: We are saved, justified, and sanctified can easily pass our lips. But it is difficult for us to personally and without hesitation accept being saved, the righteousness and holiness as described in the verse we read. So we say: Yes, of course, in Christ, and by that we mean that this is about some distant righteousness or holiness, but which has no immediate effect, no direct reference to our current life. Please think about how righteous you are if Jesus has been made your righteousness. And how holy you are when Jesus has become your holiness. We have these qualities because Jesus is our life.

We were crucified, buried and raised to new life with Jesus. That is why God calls us redeemed, righteous and holy. He uses it to describe our being, our identity. This goes way beyond just having a new ID in your hands and being part of your family. It is also understandable for our mind to be one with him, for we are like him, his likeness. God sees us as we are, righteous and holy. Again, like Jesus, God the Father sees us as His Son, His Daughter.

What did Jesus say:

Jesus says to you: I have taken all the precautions to always have you with me in my kingdom. You are healed through my wounds. You have been forgiven forever. I showered you with my grace. So you no longer live for yourself, but for me and with me as part of my new creation. True, you are still being renewed when it comes to really knowing me, but deep down you couldn't be newer than you are now. I am happy that you focus your thoughts on the things that are above, where you are raised and moved with me.

You were created to express my divine life. Your new life is safely hidden in me. I have equipped you with everything you need for life and the awe of me. With my kindness and goodness of heart I have allowed you to share in my divine likeness. Since you were born out of me, my being has lived in you. Listen as my spirit testifies to you of your true identity.

My answer:

Thank you so much, Jesus, for the gospel that I have heard. You have forgiven me all of my sins. You made me new inside out. You have given me a new identity with direct access to your realm. You have given me a share in your life so that I can truly live in you. I thank you that I can focus my thoughts on the truth. I thank you that I live in such a way that the expression of your love becomes more and more visible through me. You have already given me a heavenly life with a heavenly hope in today's life. Thank you very much, Jesus.

by Toni Püntener