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Two weeks ago we finished our sermon series through the book of Ephesians. We spent 17 weeks diving into this amazing book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. I wanted to take a couple minutes and just reflect back on our title for this series "Our Identity in Christ". 

The book of Ephesians really is all about our identity. And Paul seems to be stressing that first and foremost your identity, if you are following Christ, is as a son or daughter of the Almighty God. This is huge because for so many people their identity is wrapped up in what they can control. Maybe your identity is being the best mother you can be (better then the other mothers at church). Maybe your identity is being the best salesman at your company. Maybe it is having the best lawn on your block. Your identity so often comes from life experiences or what you hold as being most important in your life. 

Ephesians 1:5-6 says, "In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace..." I hope you're catching this incredible truth! If you are following Jesus, it is because he chose you to be his own before the foundation of the world. So first and foremost your identity is that you are a beloved son or daughter of the Most High God. Now this doesn't mean your other identities as father or mother or businessman or husband or wife aren't important. For me, my identity goes like this: 1. I am an adopted son of God, through the blood of Jesus. 2. I am a husband. 3. I am a father. 4. I am a pastor. 

With our identity secure in Jesus it is almost like we can breathe a sigh of relief. If someone is a better father then me, it does not matter. My identity is in Jesus. If someone is a better businessman than me, that doesn't matter. My identity is in Jesus. If someone has a better lawn then me, who cares! First and foremost, my identity is as a beloved son of God. I hope you were challenged and encouraged through our series in Ephesians. That you don't have to perform to be a better husband, or father, or mother, or wife, or businessman, or whatever. Because all of that fades when we rest in the reality that before God created the heavens and the earth, he had chosen you to be his son or daughter. Let your identity rest in Christ and you will experience incredible freedom.