Bayside Church

First time attendee at Bayside Church (South Melbourne campus) this past Sunday!

This may be a double-barrelled question?! Just something the Pastor touched on briefly..

What does it mean to have an identity in Christ?

I love the extreme faith and love that the woman shows Jesus with the perfume and the lavishness of pouring it over His feet. The expensive oil and the outward showing of the woman's love for Him: is this an example (what it means to have our identity in Christ)?I've heard this term ("identity in Christ" so many times, what does it mean to have an identity in Christ? (Is it just an over-used spiritual term?).

There's a line in Hillsong's track, "Mighty to Save": "I give my life to follow/everything I believe in/Now I surrender": is this part of what having an identity in Christ means: total dedication and loyalty?

Is it about simply following and fulfilling the "Great, grand Commission", or carrying out what God placed you here for (His plan and purpose?). Is this what it means to have an identity in Christ? What if you don't know what His will for you and your life is?

I believe in Jesus: but what acts constitute this (if any)? How do I go out into the community, my workplace and in turn, impact or simply show, pass it on, and in cause transform lives for Jesus? What would this look like?

My friend says, "Our love for Jesus should simply emmanate from us (natural, who we are), and our actions and responses will be honest, pure, and true... showing, and influencing others with our belief, and who we love (Jesus)".

Any input, thoughts, explanation would be greatly appreciated

'Identity in Christ' is an expression related to the theological concept of theosis - that is, becoming Christ-like. It is the gradual path of theosis (which begins during life and continues long after death) through which we attain oneness with God and are saved. Rather than simply forming your identity around 'being a Christian' or even intensely and sincerely dedicating yourself to God's will (although these things are important too), theosis is the imitation of Christ through attitude, thought, action, behaviour and treatment of other people. This is possibly the hardest aspect of being a Christian to maintain - the genuine unconditional love and tolerance for all mankind which you must possess and exhibit to walk in Christ's image.