But anyone who is joined to the Lord is one in spirit with Him.

1 Corinthians 6:17 (CEV)

Your identity in Christ is an essential part of your relationship with Him.

It is the key to receiving and enjoying a life of spiritual rest and fullness. Too often our Christian life and church life are activity-driven, goal-oriented and result-focused. In doing so, we become consumers who inadvertently replace life with Christ for so-called Christian pursuits and programs. This is not to say that we should abandon everything we do; rather, we should reconsider our understanding of the Christian life and church life.

We are called to a new covenantal relationship with Christ, to be one with Him in life and love. As we continue to grow in the revelation of our identity in Christ, we yearn to grow into His likeness. This is not something we do, but something the Spirit of God does within us.

The true Christian life is not in striving more, not doing more but doing with Christ and for Christ. It is this life with Christ and abiding in Him that we discover our identity in Christ. Recognising who we are and what we have in Christ enables us to serve God and others through the mighty workings of God's grace.

The Apostle Paul described it brilliantly for us in the following passage.

Today I am who I am because of God’s grace, and I have made sure that the grace He offered me has not been wasted. I have worked harder, longer, and smarter than all the rest; but I realize it is not me—it is God’s grace with me that has made the difference.

1 Corinthians 15:10, The Voice

Here Paul is saying: “Because God's grace not only establishes my identity, but it also empowers and equips me to minister effectively, I will work with God and for God through His power working in and through me.”

Our life and identity in Christ are not built on service and ministry. It begins and ends with resting in Christ, allowing His life in us to grow and flourish in every good work. Then our Christian life and church life are marked by our faithfulness and fruitfulness rather than our busyness and excessive doing.