Identity, that sets you free

“For freedom Christ has set us free!...” (Galatians 5:1 - LSB)

Freedom does not begin with what we do – it begins with who we are in Christ. As long as we don’t recognize our true identity, we will never live in the freedom that Jesus has promised us.

Jesus Christ won the victory on the cross so that we could be sons and daughters of the Father. This has always been God’s intention: to bring us back into relationship with Him. And this freedom is not only about what we have been freed from, but also what we have been freed for.

Jesus did not die just to make us “better people,” but to bring us back as children into God’s family.

A Picture of Identity: The Prodigal Son

In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of the father, the prodigal son, and the older brother. Many of us know it – but it is far more than a children’s story.

The younger son realizes after his rebellion: “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” (Luke 15:19 - LSB). This is exactly where the enemy attacks: he targets our identity. Just as he also tempted Jesus in the wilderness: “If You are the Son of God…” (Matthew 4:3 - LSB).

But what does the Father do? He runs to the son and makes one thing unmistakably clear: “You are and will always be my child!” No failure, guilt, or sin could ever change that.

My son did not earn his sonship. He was born into our family without having done anything to deserve it, and he does not have to work to remain my son.

We were either born into our family or adopted – we did not earn or deserve our position as a son or daughter.

Three Identities That Can Shape Our Lives

If we are honest, we often find ourselves in one of these three patterns.

This statement is to be understood as independent of ethnic, religious, cultural, or gender background.

1. The Orphan Mentality

For a long time, I thought rebirth was just a “ticket out of hell.” I lived in fear of losing that ticket through sin. This brought shame, condemnation, and confusion. Yet Jesus promises: “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you!” (John 14:18 - LSB).

Some Bible teachers trace the Greek word for orphan from the Hebrew charaph, which means to strip, expose, or rob, because such a child has no comfort, no guidance, no support, and is prey to misery, disease, sin, and death. (Adam Clarke)

2. The Slave Mentality

Later, I lived as if I had to earn God’s love – through prayer, Bible study, church attendance. I thought, “If I do enough, God will be pleased.” So I worked hard to secure my place in God’s family. I thought God could change His mind about me at any moment if I didn’t do enough.

But the Bible says: “A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son does.” (John 8:35 - LSB)

A slave identity is based on what one does for God, rather than who one is in God. In a slave’s mind, performance determines their standing in a family.

3. The Identity of the Son (or Daughter)

The turning point came when I began to understand my true identity: I am a son.

Sons do not have to toil to earn a party with the father. “Everything I have is yours,” says the father in the parable (Luke 15:31 - LSB).

This is what God offers us: “But to all who did receive Him, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12 - LSB). A son does not have to earn his position. He is an heir – because he has stepped out of Adam and been reborn in Christ.

My Story – and Yours

I have learned: the question is not whether I can earn sonship, but whether I accept what Christ has already accomplished for me.

Even today, the Holy Spirit reveals areas where old patterns of slavery or orphanhood still appear. But instead of despairing, I am reminded: The truth sets you free. (John 8:32 - LSB)

„...the truth will make you free.“ (Joh 8:32 - LSB).

This is the path: step by step, deeper and deeper into the true identity in which I already stand.

Invitation

Perhaps you currently find yourself somewhere between orphan, slave, and son/daughter. Today you may know: God’s promise remains – regardless of your past.

Take time to talk with God. Ask Him:

• Father, where am I still thinking like an orphan?

• Where am I still acting like a slave?

• Where may I learn to live as a son/daughter?

  
  

And then listen as He whispers to you: “You are my child. Everything I have is yours.”