Living In Heaven's Reality Pt. 2 - Your Heavenly Identity : Pastor Tony Samuels

Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new creation. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

One of the most important keys for you to walk in the reality of Heaven is coming to understand your new identity in Christ. Identity means: condition or character as to who a person or what a thing is; the qualities, beliefs, etc., that distinguish or identify a person or thing. So your identity is who you really are. The challenge is that before Christ, we had an earthly identity that solidified over time. We have experiences with that old identity, and people have spoken words confirming that old identity. However, the above Scripture clearly states that when we became born again, that old identity vanished, and we now have a new identity. In our Christian experience, God is teaching us how to walk in, and be aware of, this new identity.

There has to be a crossover in our minds for us to walk in the reality of this new identity. But why? Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks within himself, so is he.” Therefore, although a person is a new creation in Christ, if he doesn’t receive it and see himself in this identity, it will be impossible for him to walk in the reality of Heaven. A man’s perception about himself has a big impact on what happens to him in this life. If you have a low opinion of yourself, the enemy will try to make you feel unworthy and block you from walking in the heavenly reality. We have to deal with this, because God wants His people to experience all that He has for them. He wants you to walk at this higher level. You have to REJECT any argument that rises up in your heart and mind that contradicts what God says about you.

Now, when we look at the first temptation that happened to man, the trap the enemy used was identity. Listen to what he told the woman to trick her into disobeying the Lord: Genesis 3:4-5 reads, “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” The problem with his statement was she was already like God, created in His image. With one suggestion, her identity and her position changed in her mind, and he got her to disobey the Lord. 

If the enemy can trick you into not knowing who you are, he will have you striving to become something you already are. This is not just in the church; it’s also taking place in the world. Everyone has an image of perfection. People strive to become some image that society tells them is “perfect.” Society tells them, “This is the identity you need to strive for!” As believers, we don’t have to strive to become something we already are; we are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Mathew 6:33 says, “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.” We are to seek after His righteousness, to have His attitude and character. God is telling us to walk in our new identity, because His righteousness is our righteousness. People get caught up in behavior modification to become righteous, but it’s first realizing that you are righteous (our new identity), and then the behavior will follow.  

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with Him.” Our righteousness is not established by our acts of righteousness. We became righteous creations when we accepted Jesus, before we ever could have acted righteous!  

This is our new identity. It can’t be undone; you are a son and daughter forever. So walk in the heavenly reality by walking in your heavenly identity!