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“Who am I?” This is a question that has been asked and answered a hundred different ways. But as Christians we need to know who we are in Christ. What is our identity as born-from-above believers? I don’t think too many of us really grasp the smallest inkling of who we are in Christ. Maybe it hasn’t been taught as it should be or somehow, we misunderstand what it means. The facts are, we need to have that identity grounded in our hearts and minds.
The Bible uses different analogies and types to teach us about who we are in Christ. I want to briefly tell you about three, all beginning with B:
- We are called the BUILDING of God
“For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9).
A building’s purpose is to provide housing, and our bodies are referred to as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that he would abide in us (John 15:4). John wrote “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit” (1 John 4:13).
When you realize that your body houses the Holy Spirit of the Living God, you know that you have power; you know that you’re never alone; you know that your life must be kept pure and clean because the blessed Holy Spirit is constantly abiding in you.
I used to do lots of business training, primarily teaching customer service and communications skills. In reality, it was teaching people to treat others the way they would like to be treated. It’s the biblical principle we call “The Golden Rule,” and it’s the best policy any company could have to establish good customer service.
But I often felt a little guilty teaching people who were in many cases non-believers to perform on their job with caring and compassion for others without being able to tell them where the power to do that comes from. I would not have that kind of heart for others if it weren’t for the Holy Spirit who dwells within me. Because I am the BUILDING of God, I have power to do and be what would be impossible otherwise. And the same is true for you, of course, if you are a Christ-follower.
Remember, as you go out into your work world, that you are a building of God—a house for God’s Spirit to abide in. It will make a difference in how you feel about yourself and how you respond to your circumstances.