October 5th, 2025
by Rev. Kevin C Benton
by Rev. Kevin C Benton
The Power of Identity: Embracing Who God Says You Are
In a world filled with voices telling us who we are and who we should be, there's one voice that matters above all others - the voice of God. Our identity, rooted in His truth, has the power to transform our lives and overcome any obstacle we face.
The foundation of this transformative identity lies in understanding God's sovereignty. He is the ultimate authority, the creator of all things, and the one who holds power over every aspect of our lives. When we truly grasp this concept, we begin to see the impossible become possible.
Throughout history, we've seen countless examples of God's sovereignty at work. From raising up nations to bringing them down, from causing a great fish to swallow Jonah to parting the Red Sea, God has demonstrated His authority over both man and nature. Even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, like the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace or the resurrection of Lazarus, God's power prevails.
As believers, we must recognize that this same sovereign God dwells within us. The scripture reminds us that "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). This truth should embolden us to declare, "I am who He says I am" - not what the world says, not what our circumstances dictate, but what God Himself proclaims over our lives.
Hebrews 12:1-2 paints a powerful picture of this identity-driven life: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
Imagine heaven as a filled stadium, with all those who have gone before us in faith cheering us on. They're urging us not to give up, reminding us that we're never alone in our struggles. This heavenly support should inspire us to lay aside the weights that hold us back - whether they're emotional burdens, financial worries, or the labels others have placed on us.
Our focus should be on Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him - and we were that joy. He saw us as part of God's family, as members of the body of Christ. Now, seated at the right hand of God's throne, He rules over our lives with ultimate authority.
But how do we live out this identity in practical terms? It starts with our words. Proverbs 18:20-21 tells us, "From the fruit of their mouth a person's stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
What we speak has the power to shape our reality. When faced with negative reports or dire circumstances, we have a choice: to speak death or to speak life. Like Ezekiel prophesying to the dry bones, we must speak with inspiration to our situations, believing in the possibilities that God presents.
Consider the story of David and Goliath. When faced with an intimidating enemy, David didn't cower in fear like the rest of the Israelite army. Instead, he declared boldly, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (1 Samuel 17:45). David's words, backed by his faith in God's power, set the stage for a miraculous victory.
Even in the darkest valleys of our lives, we can choose to fear no evil, knowing that God is with us. Psalm 23 reminds us that He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies, anointing our heads with oil. This imagery speaks to God's provision and protection, even in the midst of challenging circumstances.
The story of Abraham offers another powerful example of faith-filled identity. Romans 4:17-21 describes how Abraham, against all hope, believed in hope. Despite his advanced age and Sarah's barrenness, he held onto God's promise that he would become the father of many nations. Abraham "did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."
This unwavering faith, this ability to see what we believe rather than simply believing what we see, is at the heart of living out our God-given identity. It's about being fully persuaded of God's promises, even when circumstances seem to contradict them.
As we navigate life's challenges, we must remember that faith is "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). We are who God says we are, even when we don't feel like it, even when it doesn't look like it, and even when others try to tell us otherwise.
Our circumstances do not define us. They are often there to test us, to refine our faith, but they should never dictate the outcome of our situations or how we view ourselves. We are new creations in Christ, with old things passed away and all things becoming new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The Bible is filled with promises that we should focus on, rather than the lies of the enemy. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37). We are the head and not the tail, above and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13). We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), the apple of God's eye (Zechariah 2:8).
Embracing this identity requires a daily choice. It means speaking life over our situations, running towards our battles with confidence like David, and holding onto God's promises with tenacity. It means creating an atmosphere of expectancy, where miracles can flourish.
As we journey through life, let's remember that we are who God says we are. Let's allow His voice to drown out the noise of the world, the doubts in our minds, and the fears in our hearts. For in Him, we find our true identity - beloved, empowered, and destined for greatness in His kingdom.
In a world filled with voices telling us who we are and who we should be, there's one voice that matters above all others - the voice of God. Our identity, rooted in His truth, has the power to transform our lives and overcome any obstacle we face.
The foundation of this transformative identity lies in understanding God's sovereignty. He is the ultimate authority, the creator of all things, and the one who holds power over every aspect of our lives. When we truly grasp this concept, we begin to see the impossible become possible.
Throughout history, we've seen countless examples of God's sovereignty at work. From raising up nations to bringing them down, from causing a great fish to swallow Jonah to parting the Red Sea, God has demonstrated His authority over both man and nature. Even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, like the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace or the resurrection of Lazarus, God's power prevails.
As believers, we must recognize that this same sovereign God dwells within us. The scripture reminds us that "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). This truth should embolden us to declare, "I am who He says I am" - not what the world says, not what our circumstances dictate, but what God Himself proclaims over our lives.
Hebrews 12:1-2 paints a powerful picture of this identity-driven life: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
Imagine heaven as a filled stadium, with all those who have gone before us in faith cheering us on. They're urging us not to give up, reminding us that we're never alone in our struggles. This heavenly support should inspire us to lay aside the weights that hold us back - whether they're emotional burdens, financial worries, or the labels others have placed on us.
Our focus should be on Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him - and we were that joy. He saw us as part of God's family, as members of the body of Christ. Now, seated at the right hand of God's throne, He rules over our lives with ultimate authority.
But how do we live out this identity in practical terms? It starts with our words. Proverbs 18:20-21 tells us, "From the fruit of their mouth a person's stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
What we speak has the power to shape our reality. When faced with negative reports or dire circumstances, we have a choice: to speak death or to speak life. Like Ezekiel prophesying to the dry bones, we must speak with inspiration to our situations, believing in the possibilities that God presents.
Consider the story of David and Goliath. When faced with an intimidating enemy, David didn't cower in fear like the rest of the Israelite army. Instead, he declared boldly, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (1 Samuel 17:45). David's words, backed by his faith in God's power, set the stage for a miraculous victory.
Even in the darkest valleys of our lives, we can choose to fear no evil, knowing that God is with us. Psalm 23 reminds us that He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies, anointing our heads with oil. This imagery speaks to God's provision and protection, even in the midst of challenging circumstances.
The story of Abraham offers another powerful example of faith-filled identity. Romans 4:17-21 describes how Abraham, against all hope, believed in hope. Despite his advanced age and Sarah's barrenness, he held onto God's promise that he would become the father of many nations. Abraham "did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."
This unwavering faith, this ability to see what we believe rather than simply believing what we see, is at the heart of living out our God-given identity. It's about being fully persuaded of God's promises, even when circumstances seem to contradict them.
As we navigate life's challenges, we must remember that faith is "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). We are who God says we are, even when we don't feel like it, even when it doesn't look like it, and even when others try to tell us otherwise.
Our circumstances do not define us. They are often there to test us, to refine our faith, but they should never dictate the outcome of our situations or how we view ourselves. We are new creations in Christ, with old things passed away and all things becoming new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The Bible is filled with promises that we should focus on, rather than the lies of the enemy. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37). We are the head and not the tail, above and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13). We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), the apple of God's eye (Zechariah 2:8).
Embracing this identity requires a daily choice. It means speaking life over our situations, running towards our battles with confidence like David, and holding onto God's promises with tenacity. It means creating an atmosphere of expectancy, where miracles can flourish.
As we journey through life, let's remember that we are who God says we are. Let's allow His voice to drown out the noise of the world, the doubts in our minds, and the fears in our hearts. For in Him, we find our true identity - beloved, empowered, and destined for greatness in His kingdom.
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