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Do you often ask yourself, “Who am I in Christ?” Today, we will study a passage in Romans 8 to learn more about how we can find ourselves in Christ Jesus.

Before we start, let us invite the Holy Spirit so that He can be part of this moment:

“Father God, I pray that Your Holy Spirit will take over this moment. Let it be Him answering this question plainly, which we often ask ourselves: “Who am I in Christ?” 

Holy Spirit, may You lead the way. It’s in Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen!”

Same attitude as Christ

Before we discuss today’s topic, let us read this verse below.

The Bible says:

"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." 
-Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Word of God tells us that we must have the same attitude as Christ: think, speak, and act like Him. We are fortunate to have Christ as our most significant role model in all domains of our lives. Hopefully, we will understand more about how we can be changed to His likeness today.

Let’s now study Romans 8:14-17 (NLT):

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." 

16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children.

17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering."

These verses above show that we become God’s children once we receive the gift of Salvation. In other words, Salvation makes us Co-heirs with Christ. As a result, we have the privilege of inheriting the qualities or fruits of the Holy Spirit Jesus exhibited while He was still living on earth. 

So, if you still wonder, “Who am I in Christ?” or “How would I know what Christ’s character was?”

Now, let us examine the qualities or fruits of the Holy Spirit found in Christ to answer these two questions above.

Jesus in the four Gospels

A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to read the first four books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), which give a detailed account of Jesus’ life. Also, they help us to know Him better.

One morning, as I was wrapping up the last chapter of the book of John, I started meditating on the qualities I observed in Jesus within those four Gospels. 

Here is what I found out about Jesus:

• He was patient:  Regardless of how often people tried Him, He chose not to act on it.

• Not hasty: He always took his time in everything He did. You wouldn’t see Him making rushed decisions based on emotions or peer pressure. For instance, they once told Him that His friend, Lazarus, was sick. Jesus took a few more days before going to Bethany to see Lazarus. (John 11)

• Spoke to women with respect: Jesus often interacted with women with a friendly approach and was very respectful towards them. Also, He never discriminated against them, regardless of their current situation or cultural background. (The woman caught in adultery: John8:1-11. Also, in the story of the Samaritan woman, John 4.)

• Frequently, Jesus Healed the sick through Physical Touch: Throughout Jesus’ ministry, we see multiple occasions where He healed the sick by laying His hands on them. Truthfully, there was something miraculous about His touch. (“Talitha Koum” Mark 5:21-43. Also, in Simon’s Mother-in-law’s healing, Mark 1:29-31. )

• Compassionate: Sometimes, Him and His disciples couldn’t find time to eat while serving a large crowd Mark 3:20-21.

• Daily prayer times: In the Book of John, there are many instances of Jesus spending the night in prayer away from the crowd. He would climb up into the mountains and pray throughout the night. (Gethsemane). 

• He saw people: Jesus took His time to search for those who needed help. While He was in the crowd, one way or another, a blind man, a disabled woman, or a mourning mother would catch Jesus’ eyes. He looked at people intentionally and did His best to minister to them.

• He would stop in the middle of a sermon to heal someone: The man with a withered hand. He never got bothered by who was watching. 

• Loved children: Welcomed children and prayed for them.
• Welcomed the outcast and overlooked: Tax collector on a tree.
• He could read minds, yet He chose not to act on it: Pharessies. 

• He searched for those who were looking for Him. Jesus would investigate to find out who was looking for Him: the tax collector in a Tree, the blind man on a sidewalk, and also the woman with the issue of blood.
• He was not easily influenced by peer pressure. His half-brothers enticed him to use his superpower for fame, but he chose not to listen to them.

• Submitted to authorities: He spoke about paying Taxes and was obedient to his parents (when he was 12 years old).
• He was a social and people-oriented. He attended weddings (Canan) and fellowshipped with his friends (Martha, Mary, and Lazarus).
• Emotional: He cried when His friend Lazarus died. 

• He knew his enemies but still kept them in His inner circle: Judas Iscariot.
• Self-control: He knew when to keep quiet and when to say something (when he was standing in front of Pilate).
• Rubuked his friends with kindness: Martha Martha. 

• People person: He served them wholeheartedly. He would go the extra mile for them. 
• Humble: He is God, but He didn’t use that title to look down on people. ‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬)
• He spoke with everyone, from low-income people to the kings, and treated them equally.
• Leaves the 99 for the one.

How can I become like Him?

As you read about Jesus’s great qualities, you might currently have some struggles in different areas of your life. And maybe you haven’t seen the fruits of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23, present in your life.

These are the flaws you might still be experiencing in your life:

• Self-centeredness 
• Hatred towards others
• Pride
• Looking down on others 
• Foul mouth 
• Bitterness/unforgiveness
• Judgy attitude 
• Unwilling to help the needy
• Antisocial
• Not trusting people
• Etc

Regardless of what you might still be facing character-wise, have hope that God sees your heart. If you are willing to see a change in your life, the LORD God is ready to take you on a journey of transformation.

All He is asking is for you to surrender your free will to Him. From that moment on, the LORD God is willing and ready to transform you into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Remember who you are: “Co-heir with Christ!”

So, how do you become like Christ?

• Make Him a priority in your life. Let Him be the center of your life. 
• Study Him through Bible reading.
• Pray earnestly for the renewal of your mind.
• Put in Display verses that spoke to you based on the season of life you are in.

Let me illustrate this last point. A couple of months ago, I was in a work-related meeting with a group of people when we were asked a very interesting check-in question.

They asked us to share the picture on our phone’s lock screen, explain why we chose that specific picture, and share the story behind it. 

For the last six years, I have only been putting Bible verses on my phone’s lock and home screens. Here is what I shared with the group: 

“I only put personalized Bible verses on my Lock Screen and Home Screen because I want them to be constant reminders that I am in love with God. My Lock Screen is the first and last thing I look at before bed and when I wake up. 

Looking at a verse that I am meditating on in that specific season of my life reminds me that the LORD God is the first person I think about when I wake up in the morning and the last person I think about before I fall asleep.”

I pray that it will be the same for you. Let God’s Word constantly remind you of who you are in Christ. 

Conclusion 

As we conclude, know that the LORD desires to turn you into the original design He had in mind when He decided to create you.

We don’t need to wait until we reach heaven to experience God’s offer. 

By God’s grace, we can fully experience all the great qualities that God has to offer through Jesus Christ’s example. 

As we go through the journey of transformation, let us always remember that God’s original plan is to make us think, speak, and act like Jesus because we are Co-heirs with Christ.

As you allow God to transform you, pray these verses over your life as often as possible. 

Pray like this: 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."
-Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Each time, you’ll find yourself doubting: “Who Am I in Christ?”

Let these two songs minister to you as you learn how to know the LORD God better.

“Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong Worship. And Endless Alleluia by Bethel Music.  

May the LORD, the God of heaven’s Armies, walk with you every step of the way. Amen!