Finding True Identity in Christ

What defines you? Is it your achievements, relationships, or what others think of you? Many of us spend years searching for who we truly are. Christianity offers a life-changing answer: our identity is found in God through Jesus Christ. This isn’t just an abstract idea; it’s a reality made tangible in the Orthodox Church through the life of Christ, the sacraments, and our belonging to the body of believers.

Chosen for a Purpose

The Bible tells us that God chose each of us with a purpose long before the world began. In Ephesians 1:4, the Apostle Paul writes: “[God] chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:4, NKJV).

This means you are not an accident. God created you with love and a purpose: to live a holy life, reflecting His goodness. Holiness is not about being perfect by human standards. It’s about being set apart for a meaningful relationship with God.

In the Orthodox Church, this calling is celebrated through the sacraments, which are sacred actions in which God works in and through us. Baptism, for example, is where we begin this relationship with God. In baptism, we are united with Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). It is not just a symbolic act but a spiritual rebirth, washing away sin and starting a new life in Him.

Made in God’s Image

The Bible teaches that every person is made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). This means you are inherently valuable and were created to reflect God’s love, wisdom, and creativity. However, sin—our tendency to turn away from God—has damaged this image.

Through the cross and resurrection, Jesus Christ came to heal what was broken. The Apostle Paul reminds us: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

This forgiveness is not abstract. In the Orthodox Church, it is experienced through the sacrament of confession, where we bring our struggles to God and receive His grace and mercy. This isn’t about guilt or shame; it’s about freedom—freedom from the weight of our past and the chance to start anew.

Forgiveness and New Life

At the center of Christianity is the cross. Jesus’ death on the cross was an act of unimaginable love, where He took the consequences of sin upon Himself. But the story doesn’t end with the cross. Jesus rose from the dead, proving that God’s love and power are greater than sin and death.

In the Orthodox Church, this victory is celebrated every day in the Divine Liturgy. The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is where we receive the Body and Blood of Christ. This sacrament is not just a ritual but a way of being united with Christ, sharing in His life and victory. As Jesus said: “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him” (John 6:56, NKJV).

A New Identity

When you trust in Jesus and participate in the life of His Church, your identity is no longer tied to what you achieve or how others see you. Instead, it is anchored in who God says you are: loved, forgiven, and chosen.

Paul explains this in Ephesians 1:13-14: “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (NKJV).

This identity is not something you earn. It’s a gift. It’s secure because it is based on God’s love and grace, not your performance.

Living as Part of the Body of Christ

Being a Christian is not just about personal faith; it’s about being part of a community. The Orthodox Church sees every believer as part of the Body of Christ—a family united by love for God and one another. The Church isn’t a building; it’s a living, breathing community where we grow together in faith, encourage one another, and celebrate the life God has given us.

Living in this community helps us stay connected to Christ. It is through shared prayer, worship, and service that we deepen our relationship with Him.

Why This Matters

In a world that often defines us by our achievements, appearances, or social status, the message of the cross and resurrection is profoundly freeing. It tells us that our worth is not based on what we do but on who God is.

Through the sacraments and life in the Church, we experience this truth firsthand. We are reminded that we are loved, chosen, and called to live in holiness—not because of anything we’ve done, but because of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ.

This identity is eternal and unshakable. It is an invitation to discover who you truly are—not someone trying to prove your worth, but someone already loved beyond measure.

Wherever you are in life, this truth is for you. God chose you, loves you, and calls you to live in the freedom and joy of being His child. Will you take the first step to explore what this means?