The moment we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we become a new creation or a new person (2 Corinthians 5:17). We received a new identity in Christ Jesus. Our new identity is based on the freedom that we received in the Lord. Our past life is no longer dictates who we are in the present time because we received a new life. We have been born again (John 3:1-8). We were once under the slavery of sin, but now we are under the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ. We do not belong to the sinful ways of this world anymore because we are now children of God.
Ben grew up in a dysfunctional family. His father was an alcoholic, and his mother was abusive. So he pretty much lived on his own growing up. Because of his upbringing, he started drinking and smoking drugs at a young age. Before long, he started getting into trouble and ended up in prison for 25 years. While he was in prison, he gave his life to the Lord Jesus, and he became a new person. He stopped participating in violent crime, cursing, or using the name of Jesus in vain. He realized that God had given him a new life. All his past sins had been forgiven, and he was free from his past. His identity changed from being a criminal to a child of God. Because of his good behavior in prison, he was released earlier.
As believers, we should not allow our past experiences to dictate who we are as a person. We could not change our past life, but we can now live a new life in Christ Jesus. When Satan whispers in our heads that we would never measure up because of our past, we need to remind ourselves that we are now God's children. We have been born again in spirit. If we are tempted to live a sinful life, we need to remind ourselves that we are no longer under the power of sin, but we can now live in the righteousness of our Lord Jesus. Our true identity is in our Lord Jesus. We are now children of the holy, living God.
Ask yourself these questions: What is my identity as a person now that I believe in the Lord Jesus? How did I receive my new identity? How should I live my life as a child of God?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for giving me a new life in you. Thank you that my identity is in the Lord Jesus. Thank you that I do not belong to my past anymore, but I belong to you. Please help me to live my life for you. Please help me now with (mention your prayer requests). In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.