Finding Your True Identity in Christ
One of the most important questions you will ever answer in life is “Who am I?”
The way you see yourself affects every decision you make, every relationship you have, and the confidence with which you walk into your calling.
Unfortunately, many people struggle with their identity. Some define themselves based on their past mistakes, others allow society’s opinions to shape them, and some feel completely lost—just like Moses when he asked, “Who am I?”
In a powerful message, pastor Brian Houston challenges us to stop defining ourselves by the world’s standards and instead embrace who God says we are. Let’s explore the key takeaways from this life-changing teaching.
1. The World Will Try to Define You
From childhood, people label us based on their opinions. Some think highly of us, while others criticize us unfairly.
- Family members may tell you that you’ll never amount to anything.
- Social media trolls may try to tear you down.
- Your past mistakes may whisper that you are unworthy.
But none of these voices matter. The only voice that matters is God’s.
🔹 “Who do people say you are? Who do you think you are? More importantly—who does GOD say you are?”
Even Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13). People had different answers—some thought He was a prophet, others misunderstood His identity completely. But Jesus then turned to Peter and asked, “Who do you say I am?”
When Peter declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” Jesus responded, “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church.”
💡 Lesson: The moment you recognize who Jesus is, He reveals who YOU are. Your true identity is found in Him.
2. Your Past Does Not Define You
Many people allow their past failures, traumas, or upbringing to define their future.
The story of Moses is a perfect example. When God called him to lead the Israelites, Moses responded with insecurity:
“Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh?” (Exodus 3:11)
Moses felt unqualified because:
✔️ He was abandoned as a child.
✔️ He was adopted into a family that wasn’t his own.
✔️ He had a speech problem and felt inadequate.
✔️ He had made a huge mistake—he had killed an Egyptian and fled in fear.
Yet, God didn’t respond with self-help advice. He simply said:
“I AM with you.”
🔹 “Like Moses, we often ask, ‘Who am I?’ But God answers, ‘I AM with you.’ And that’s all that matters!”
💡 Lesson: Your past does not disqualify you—God’s presence qualifies you.
3. Paul’s Clarity on Identity
Unlike Moses, the Apostle Paul had no identity crisis. He knew exactly who he was.
Paul introduced himself in his letters with confidence:
✅ “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.” (Ephesians 1:1)
Paul had clarity in five key areas:
1️⃣ Who he was – “Paul”
2️⃣ What he was called to do – “An apostle”
3️⃣ Who he was doing it for – “Of Jesus Christ”
4️⃣ Where his authority came from – “By the will of God”
5️⃣ Who his audience was – “To the saints in Ephesus”
Most people today lack this clarity. They go through life uncertain, doubting their purpose and identity.
🔹 “When you truly know who you are in Christ, you walk with confidence, not insecurity.”
💡 Lesson: God has already defined your purpose. Walk in it with faith.
4. Identity Determines Outlook
Your view of yourself shapes how you see the world.
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15) is a great example. After wasting his inheritance on reckless living, he ended up eating with pigs. But then he came to his senses and remembered who he truly was—his father’s son.
As soon as he changed his thinking, he got up and returned to his father’s house—where he was met with love, restoration, and grace.
🔹 “Your outlook on life is determined by what you are looking out from. If you look from a place of defeat, you will always see obstacles. But if you look from a place of victory, you will see opportunity.”
💡 Lesson: Stop defining yourself by your failures. You are a child of God, not a slave to your past.
5. The Key to Confidence: Knowing Who God Is
Moses didn’t just ask, “Who am I?” He also asked, “Who are You, Lord?”
God responded, “I AM that I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)
This means:
- I AM everything you need.
- I AM your strength when you are weak.
- I AM your provider when you lack.
- I AM your confidence when you feel unworthy.
Later in the New Testament, Jesus echoed this same identity with seven “I AM” statements (John’s Gospel):
✔️ “I AM the bread of life.”
✔️ “I AM the light of the world.”
✔️ “I AM the good shepherd.”
✔️ “I AM the resurrection and the life.”
🔹 “You will never fully know who you are until you know who God is. True confidence comes from understanding the identity of the One who created you.”
💡 Lesson: When you fix your eyes on who God is, your own identity becomes clear.
Final Thoughts: You Are Who He Says You Are
At the end of the message, pastor Houston reminds us that we don’t find our identity in our job, our past, or the world’s opinions—we find it in God.
🔹 “You are chosen, not forsaken. You are who HE says you are!”
If you’ve been struggling with self-doubt, insecurity, or feeling lost, it’s time to stop listening to the wrong voices and start believing what GOD says about you.
Declare this over yourself today:
✔️ I am chosen, not forsaken.
✔️ I am a child of God.
✔️ I am called, equipped, and anointed.
✔️ I am who He says I am!
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