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6Who Are You, Really?If someone asked you who you are, you’d probablyhave a ready answer right on the tip of your tongue.You might mention where you came from and whatyou do for a living. Or you might describe your familyand heritage. For instance, I’d say, “My name isRichard Roberts. I’m a healing evangelist. My wife’sname is Lindsay. We have three daughters: Jordan,Olivia, and Chloe…” And all of those things are true.But as born-again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ,you and I are so much more than that! Over the years,I’ve learned that my very life depends not on knowingwho I am in the natural realm, but knowing whoI am in Christ. That means knowing who God says Iam, according to His Word.It’s crucial for us to understand and put our faith inour identity in Christ, because we live in a worldwhere trouble and trials abound. Sometimes it seemslike the devil pulls out all the stops in his efforts todestroy Christians.B Y R I C H A R D R O B E R T SWhen you’re in Christ, you can live in a continualstream of God’s blessings by understanding who youare on the inside…by seeing yourself the way Godsees you and acting on His good plan for your life.We see this all the time through the prayer requeststhat come in to the Abundant Life Prayer Group. Somany people contact us to pray for the desperate needsin their lives…needs for healing, deliverance, and restoration.They face all kinds of trials…cancer, familyproblems, bankruptcy, job loss, confusion, despair…you name it. In the face of such troubles, faith in Godand His promises to us in Christ can be the differencebetween success and failure.Let me share with you just a little about who the Biblesays we really are in Christ. Then I challenge you tostudy God’s Word for yourself and learn more aboutthe life-changing promises God has made to you asHis beloved child. When we apply His Word to ourlives, we can walk in the victory He has waiting forus in 2009—the year of His more-than-enough blessing—andevery year from now on!Your True IdentityAs a born-again believer, you are now in Christ. Thatmeans you’re an overcomer (Romans 8:37). You are thehead instead of the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). You can enjoythe fat (the best) of the land (Genesis 45:18). You are ajoint heir with Jesus Christ Himself (Romans 8:17) of all thatis in the earth and all that is stored up for you in heaven.Because you are in Christ, you are a child of God (John1:12) and Jesus’ friend (John 15:15). You are a citizenof heaven (Philippians 3:20), seated with Christ in theheavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6). You are God’s temple (1Corinthians 3:16), God’s co-worker (1 Corinthians 3:9),and God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10).You have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19–20), redeemed and forgiven (Colossians 1:14), and set apartfor God (Ephesians 1:1). You are forever free from condemnation(Romans 8:1–2), established, anointed, and sealedby God (2 Corinthians 1:21–22).As a follower of Christ, you are the salt and light of the earth(Matthew 5:13–14), you have constant access to God throughthe Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18), and you are His ministersof reconciliation on this earth (2 Corinthians 5:17–21).Philippians 4:13 tells us that you and I can do all thingsthrough Christ who strengthens us, and Romans 8:37reminds us that we are more than conquerors through Himthat loved us. In Christ, you and I have all we need tolive a victorious life and all we need to live in a godlymanner (2 Peter 1:3). I believe that if we really wantto live in the victory God promises us in His Word,we need to renew our commitment to believing andliving out who we are in Christ.“Remind Them Who They Are”Recently, I was reading prayer requests our ministryhad received. People were expressing their desperateneeds and challenges. I prayed, “Lord, I knowYou are all powerful. You are the God of healing, theGod of restoration, the God Who provides more thanenough. Lord, give me the words to encourage thosewho are discouraged and to declare Your greatnessover their lives.”As I was waiting upon the Lord for His answer, I kepthearing the words, “Remind them who they are. Remindthem what is theirs. Remind them that I amhere, and that there is more than enough in Mystorehouse to meet and exceed their every need.Tell all who will listen that when I have met every needof every person who is called by My name, the river ofMy blessings will still flow because there is an endless supply!Tell them to leave the shore and step into My flow!”I tell you, on the authority of God’s Word, that our Godis the God of more than enough! He is not the God of justgetting by, or the God of minimums. In His presence,there is healing for our physical bodies, and restorationfor our relationships, finances, and more. He has morethan enough power and supply to meet every need.And why do we need more than enough? It’s becauseGod intends to do more than simply meet our ownpersonal needs (although, of course, God cares aboutour needs). But an exciting joy of the Christian life isfound in becoming a “pipeline” for the endless flowof God’s blessings to other people—so that all peoplemight come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior!Step Into the Flow of God’s VictoryNo matter what you’re facing, you can live fully inChrist—starting today! Remember, we always have achoice. We can believe and act on the power of whowe are in Christ, trusting in the God Who is morethan enough. Or we can forever walk in uncertainty,not trusting in our position in Christ, trading awayour authority in exchange for the devil’s doubts anddiscouragement.If you’re ready to make the commitment to believeand act on your identity in Christ, I encourage youto spend some time with God. Ask Him to point outthose areas where you can move more fully into whoyou are in Him. Give the Holy Spirit permission tohelp you grow in those areas.Then, take action in response to what God showsyou. Begin to see yourself as He sees you, do whatHe tells you, and allow miracles to become the normfor you as you walk in the understanding of youridentity in Christ.Never forget—regardless of where you are right now,God’s Word says He has more than enough for you.When you remember who you are in Christ and putaction with your faith, you can confidently watch Hisgood plan for your life unfold.Ask God to pointout those areas whereyou can movemore fully into whoyou are in Him.7Jan/Feb/Mar 2009