In today’s culture, women are bombarded with identity labels—career titles, relationship statuses, social media followings, appearances, education, and more. Everywhere we turn, there are subtle (and not-so-subtle) suggestions about who we should be. It’s easy to lose ourselves in the shuffle, to root our worth in how productive, popular, or polished we appear.
But have you ever paused to consider that the identity struggles many Christian women face aren’t just emotional or psychological—they’re deeply theological?
From the very beginning, Satan’s strategy has been to distort our identity. In Genesis 3, the serpent whispered to Eve, “You will be like God.” That wasn’t just a temptation to disobey—it was an invitation to self-define, to reject God’s authority and create an identity on her own terms. The confusion we feel today isn’t new; it traces back to the garden.
But here’s the good news: God didn’t leave us in that confusion. Through Christ, He has acted decisively to rescue us, redeem us, and redefine us. If you are in Christ, your identity is no longer up for grabs. You are adopted, beloved, and secure. You’ve been brought into God’s family—and that changes everything.
Your Identity Is Not What You Achieve—It’s Who You Belong To
The Bible makes it clear: union with Christ is at the heart of the gospel. This is not just a theological idea for seminary classrooms—it’s a life-giving reality that shapes who we are and how we live.
Being united with Christ means:
- We are no longer defined by our failures or our past.
- We have His righteousness credited to us.
- We are empowered to live holy lives, not in our own strength, but through His.
This union humbles our pride and frees us from the exhausting pressure to prove ourselves. As Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
Let that sink in. Your life—your identity—is not a performance. It’s a relationship. And it’s secure.
Why Union with Christ Changes Everything
You might wonder, “If salvation is by grace, what’s the point of striving for godliness?” That’s a fair question—and Scripture answers it clearly.
True grace never leads to spiritual laziness. It fuels a passion for holiness.
As Romans 6:1–11 teaches, our old self was crucified with Christ so we might walk in newness of life. Titus 2:14 tells us Christ gave Himself to redeem us and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7, we’re reminded that God’s will for us is sanctification.
Wayne Grudem puts it beautifully: “He who abides in me, and I in him, it is he that bears much fruit.” (John 15:5) Bearing fruit isn’t about mustering up strength. It’s about abiding in Christ.
Embracing a Transformative Identity
Your identity isn’t found in your marital status, your resume, or your reflection in the mirror. It’s found in Jesus Christ. And that changes not just how we think about ourselves—but how we live.
To embrace your union with Christ is to live out of His strength, not yours. It’s to walk in holiness, not out of fear, but out of freedom. It’s to live with a deep confidence—not in your ability to hold it all together, but in His power to sustain you.
So, what now?
Take time this week to reflect on your identity in Christ. Open your Bible to Galatians 2:20. Meditate on Romans 6. Journal your thoughts. Talk with a godly friend or mentor. And pray. Ask God to help you see yourself not through the lens of the world, but through the lens of grace.
You are in Christ. That is your identity. That is your security. That is your freedom.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” — Galatians 2:20
Debbie Swindell 