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Colossians 3.1-4 

This past weekend Pastor Jeff Manion began by talking about identity. We tend to identify ourselves in many ways: our name, who we know, our occupation, or our greatest achievements or failures. But as believers in Jesus, we have a new identity! The truest thing about you now is you are God’s treasured and adored child. This should be the foundation of how we view ourselves.

Jesus took all our sins and nailed them to the cross. Your identity is not formed by what you do—but what Christ did for you. And it’s not formed by who hurt you—but by Who (Jesus) was hurt for you. We find ourselves in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

We’ve been given a new heart and a new identity. But like the Colossians, we still have old habits. Our new life in Jesus should change our hearts and our minds including the things we long for and the things we think about. The Apostle Paul writes, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above” (Colossians 3.1a). Paul talks about two specific areas: sex and rage. Throughout this week, we’ll explore how our new identity reshapes our longings and thoughts around these two topics. We’ve been given a new identity AND we can break away from our old habits.

As you begin this week, take a moment to watch as Pastor Jeff Manion quotes Colossians 3.1-11 below. Then in your journal (click here for a PDF version), jot down two or three areas in your life where you struggle with old habits that don’t match your new identity.  As we progress through this week, continue to offer these habits to God asking him to give you strength and wisdom to begin living from your new identity in Jesus.