Valley Real Life - The ABCD Journey
How Jesus Changes Our Identity
From knowing what is true to learning to live from it.
Following Jesus is more than learning new information or trying harder to be a better person. Jesus invites us into a real relationship with Him — one where we learn to trust what God says is true, let go of the beliefs that get in the way, and let the Holy Spirit do His work in us.
In Christ, God gives us a new identity. Over time, He teaches us to understand that identity, embrace it personally, and live from it in our everyday choices and relationships.
Identity in Christ — Put On the Truth
Recognize and affirm what God says is true about who you are in Christ — and learn how to understand it, personally embrace it, and live from it.
Competing Beliefs — Put Off What Is False
Recognize the thoughts and beliefs that contradict God's truth, damage your well-being and relationships, and hinder your spiritual growth. These are patterns you can bring to God, challenge with Scripture, and increasingly put off as your mind is renewed.
GOD'S WORD
And you must throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Ephesians 4:22–24NLT
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission.
Our identity in Christ
You do not have to make yourself lovable before God will love you. He demonstrated His love for you while you were still a sinner, giving His Son for your salvation. His love is not a reward for your goodness; it is a gift that invites you to receive Him, rest in His love, and learn to love others.
GOD'S WORD
God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. We love each other because he loved us first.
1 John 4:9–10, 19NLT
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission.
GOD'S WORD
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Romans 5:8NLT
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission.
GOD'S WORD
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:17–19NLT
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission.
Transformation Is a Journey
Knowing these truths is a beginning. Learning to trust them personally and live from them is a journey.
You may understand that your worth comes from God while still measuring yourself by achievement. You may believe God accepts you while still fearing rejection. You may know that God is trustworthy while struggling to surrender control.
These tensions do not mean your faith is false or that you have failed. They are places to become honest with God and invite Him into the process.
As you begin, consider where Jesus may be inviting you to take your next step—not toward becoming someone you have to manufacture, but toward learning to live more fully from who you are in Him.