What Does It Mean to Be In Christ – 7 Ways Adoption by God Changes Our Identity

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Discovering what it means to be in Christ to transform our understanding has revolutionized my entire approach to the Christian life, shifting it from a religious obligation to a loving relationship. Like many believers, I used to struggle with this concept, wondering if it was just religious jargon or if it had real meaning for my daily life.

These seven foundational truths include understanding our new identity as God’s children, experiencing complete forgiveness, living with eternal security, and accessing God’s power for daily life. Each aspect reveals something profound about how being “in Christ” changes everything about who we are and how we live.

Whether you’re new to faith or have walked with God for years, these biblical insights will help you grasp the life-changing reality of being in Christ. Together, we’ll explore how this spiritual truth moves from theological concept to transformative experience in our everyday lives.

1. New Creation Identity

Have you ever wished you could just start over? Wipe the slate clean and begin again with a fresh identity? Being in Christ offers exactly that radical possibility. When Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17), he’s describing something far more profound than self-improvement.

This new creation identity isn’t about trying harder or turning over a new leaf. It’s a complete identity transplant. I remember the day this truth finally clicked for me – I’d spent years trying to fix my flaws through sheer willpower, only to find myself repeating the same patterns. When I understood that being in Christ meant I was actually a new person with a new nature, it changed everything about how I viewed my struggles and potential.

The beauty of this new identity is that it’s not something we achieve; it’s something we receive. As Ephesians 2:10 explains, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Think of it like adoption – your new identity isn’t earned but freely given, complete with a new name, new family, and new inheritance.

Living from this new identity means no longer seeing yourself through the lens of past failures, current struggles, or others’ opinions. Instead, you begin to see yourself as God sees you – completely new, deeply loved, and uniquely purposed. As John wrote, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).

2. Complete Forgiveness and Righteousness

The weight of guilt can be crushing. I remember lying awake at night, replaying mistakes and wondering if I could ever truly be free from my past. Perhaps you’ve felt that too. This is where one of the most beautiful aspects of being in Christ comes into focus: complete and permanent forgiveness.

When you’re in Christ, God doesn’t just forgive your sins partially or temporarily – He removes them completely. Psalm 103:12 captures this beautifully: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Think about that geographical distance – east and west never meet. That’s the magnitude of God’s forgiveness.

But being in Christ takes this even further. Not only are our sins removed, but we’re also given Christ’s righteousness as our own. Paul explains this stunning exchange in 2 Corinthians 5:21: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” This is like having your entire financial history wiped clean and then being given a billionaire’s bank account.

Living in the reality of this forgiveness transforms how we see ourselves and how we treat others. I’ve found that truly understanding how completely I’m forgiven in Christ makes me both humbler and more gracious toward others who fail. As Jesus taught, “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

3. Adopted into God’s Family

Family relationships shape us profoundly. Some of us have experienced loving families that gave us security and belonging, while others know the pain of dysfunction or rejection. But regardless of our earthly family experience, being in Christ offers something remarkable – adoption into God’s perfect family.

This isn’t just a nice metaphor; it’s a legal and spiritual reality. Romans 8:15-16 tells us, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.'” That word “Abba” is similar to our “Daddy” – a term of intimate closeness.

I remember volunteering at an orphanage overseas and witnessing the moment when a child learned they’d been adopted. Their entire demeanor changed instantly – from uncertainty to belonging, from anxiety to security. That’s what happens when we truly grasp our adoption in Christ.

This adoption status isn’t second-class or provisional. Ephesians 1:5 says God “predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” You weren’t an afterthought or a backup plan – your adoption gives you the full rights and privileges of being God’s child.

Living as God’s adopted child means approaching Him with confidence, trusting His character as Father, and resting in His unfailing love. This transforms prayer from a religious duty into a family conversation and changes obedience from fear-based compliance to love-motivated response.

4. United with Christ’s Death and Resurrection

Have you ever wondered how events that happened 2,000 years ago could possibly affect your life today? This is where the mind-blowing concept of our union with Christ comes in. When Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20), he’s describing a spiritual reality that transforms everything.

Being in Christ means that when He died, you died with Him. When He rose, you rose with Him. This isn’t just poetic language – it’s the foundation for a completely new way of living. Romans 6:5-6 explains, “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him.”

I remember struggling for years with a particular sin pattern, trying every self-help strategy and prayer approach I could find. Victory only came when I began to understand that in Christ, the power of that sin had already been broken at the cross. I didn’t need to defeat it; I needed to live from the victory Christ had already won.

This truth transforms how we approach temptation, suffering, and even death itself. As we learn to “reckon ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11), we experience the resurrection power that enables us to live differently today.

5. Indwelt by the Holy Spirit

Imagine having the world’s greatest coach, counselor, and companion with you 24/7 – not just alongside you, but actually living within you. That’s exactly what happens when you’re in Christ. Paul asks, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).

This indwelling presence is one of the most practical aspects of being in Christ. The same Spirit who hovered over creation, empowered prophets, and raised Jesus from the dead now lives in you. This isn’t a temporary visit but a permanent residency, as Jesus promised: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17).

I experienced the reality of this indwelling when facing a conversation I felt completely unprepared for. As I silently prayed for help, words of wisdom came that I know weren’t from my own understanding. This wasn’t mystical or strange – it was simply the Spirit working from within, just as Jesus promised: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things” (John 14:26).

Living with awareness of the Spirit’s presence changes everything about how we approach daily life. We no longer face decisions, challenges, or ministry opportunities alone. As Paul prayed, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3:16).

6. Member of Christ’s Body

In our hyper-individualistic culture, it’s easy to think of faith as “just me and Jesus.” But being in Christ means you’re never meant to walk alone – you’re now part of something much bigger. Paul describes this using a powerful metaphor: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27).

This body metaphor isn’t just a nice way of saying we should get along. It describes a living, organic connection where we’re genuinely interdependent. Just as your hand is useless if disconnected from your body, believers are designed to function in connection with other parts of Christ’s body.

I struggled with this truth early in my faith journey, preferring independence to the messiness of community. But when going through a crisis, I experienced firsthand what it meant to be carried by other parts of the body – receiving prayer, practical help, and wisdom I desperately needed. This wasn’t optional “church attendance” – it was life-giving connection to Christ through His people.

As Ephesians 4:16 explains, “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” In Christ, you’re not just saved individually – you’re brought into a new family, a living organism, where your spiritual growth and purpose are inextricably linked to your connections with others.

7. Eternal Security and Hope

Do you ever worry about the future or wonder if your faith will endure life’s challenges? Being in Christ provides something we all desperately need – unshakeable security and lasting hope. When Paul writes that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39), he’s describing a relationship that can’t be broken.

This security isn’t based on our performance or perfect faith, but on God’s faithful grip on us. Jesus puts it this way: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28). Being in Christ means being held securely, both now and forever.

I’ve found this truth particularly powerful during seasons of doubt or spiritual dryness. Knowing that my standing with God doesn’t depend on my emotional state or perfect obedience brings freedom to be honest about struggles while remaining confident in His grip.

As Paul declares, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:13-14). This divine seal and guarantee mean that in Christ, your eternal future is secure.

Living with this security doesn’t lead to complacency but to confident, joy-filled service. When we know the outcome is certain, we can pour ourselves out for Christ without fear, knowing that nothing – not even our own failures – can separate us from His love.

Conclusion:

Understanding what it means to be in Christ isn’t just about gaining head knowledge – it’s about experiencing a completely new way of living. These seven aspects show us that being in Christ affects every part of our lives, from our identity to our daily choices. As we embrace these truths, we begin to live from a place of security, purpose, and power, knowing that our position in Christ is both our greatest privilege and our source of transformation.