We live in a culture that promotes the idea that our worth comes from how we look, the friends we have, working hard, and so on. Ultimately, none of these things will ever satisfy us. In fact, we will quickly grow weary and discouraged in trying to be “good enough” by the world’s standards. Thankfully, there is hope and freedom in Jesus Christ! True lasting contentment and joy can only come from a personal relationship with Jesus. The first chapter of Colossians talks about this beautiful new identity and hope in Christ. Still, it warns us in verse 23 not to drift away from this assurance we have in the gospel. It is easy to be swept up in distraction and insecurity if we aren’t careful. Instead, we must remain firm in the gospel’s truth, remembering the unshakable value and purpose it gives us. Take some time to pray through and meditate on these verses that affirm your identity in Christ.
1. See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know Him. – 1 John 3:1 NLT
Father God, thank You for loving me so perfectly. Help me remember that I am Your child, and there is nothing I can do to make You stop loving me. When I get caught up in what others say or think about me, help me remember the immense value You have already given me.
2. Yet now He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault. – Colossians 1:22 NLT
God, I am in awe that I can come into Your presence without a single fault, not because I am faultless, but because of Your Son washing away my sin with His death on the cross. Lord, protect me from getting caught up in shame or trying to earn the forgiveness that You freely give. I choose to openly walk in Your loving presence today.
3. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Father, help me to see myself as Your masterpiece. I trust Your Word that I have been born again and made into a new creation through Jesus. Some days, all I see is brokenness, but I know that You have a beautiful picture in mind for my life. Give me eyes to see the plan and purpose You have for me. Protect me from comparing myself to others, and instead help me see beauty in how You have uniquely made me.
4. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. – Philippians 3:20 NLT
Lord, I know this world is not my home. The brokenness I see all around me is evidence of this. So give me the strength I need, one day at a time. Remind me that no matter how rejected I feel in this world or overwhelmed by everything I see around me, I have an eternal home in heaven.
5. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Thank You, Jesus, that I am a new creation in Christ! Lord, You have given me an entirely new nature. Help me put on that nature, choosing to walk in Your ways. I am no longer defined by what I’ve done but by what Jesus has done for me. I have been washed clean! Help me to joyfully walk in that freedom today!
6. But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light. – 1 Peter 2:9 NLT
Lord, I know I cannot be righteous on my own strength, but I can walk in righteousness through the power of Your Holy Spirit at work within me. Lord, thank You for rescuing me from the darkness of walking in the flesh. Help me walk in Your light today, choosing to reject sin and reflect Your goodness to a world that desperately needs You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
7. “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are My friends, since I have told you everything the Father told Me.” – John 15:15 NLT
What a friend I have in You, Jesus! Cast out the enemy’s lies when I feel like I am burdening You with my needs. Lord, remind me that You delight in me as I confide and depend upon You as a friend. I know I am never truly alone. May I grow ever more aware of Your friendship and presence in my life through Your Holy Spirit.
8. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. – Psalm 139:14 NLT
Father, forgive me for the times I have compared myself to others, focusing on my flaws instead of seeing the unique value You have given me. Your Word reveals to me that You do not make mistakes. I know You made me so intentionally. Lord, help me look through Your lens of love and grace, seeing myself as You see me, not as the world does. Thank You for making me, in all my remarkable complexity!
9. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. – Romans 8:27 NLT
Lord, I often feel like I will break under the weight of what I am walking through. Remind me of the power and victory I have in Christ so that I can persevere. I am so thankful that my identity is not based upon what I can do in my own strength. Instead, I know that my confidence is in Christ’s work already done in me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
