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Identity: Who You Are in Christ
Everyone searches for a clear identity and craves to be known for something. Some find identity in their career, working overtime to do more than just pay the bills, but to stroke the ego and experience the feelings thatgo along with high-profile accomplishments.
Others define themselves in relationships, sometimes enduring unhealthy ones because, "Hey, it's better than being alone." Possessions can be identifiers. The new car becomes an expression of self; he likes the way other people look at his ride in traffic.
While careers, relationships, possessions, and other things are important aspects of our daily lives, they do not last forever. It is God who breathes purpose and meaning into the details of our lives, and when we seek our identity in places other than Christ, we find ourselves empty.
Identity , by bestselling author Eric Geiger ( Simple Church, Designed to Lead, Creature of the Word ) presents an exciting to bounce back and forth between fleeting earthly fulfillments or to embrace God's invitation to lose our lives and find our identity in Him.
Come discover who you really are in Christ.
Others define themselves in relationships, sometimes enduring unhealthy ones because, "Hey, it's better than being alone." Possessions can be identifiers. The new car becomes an expression of self; he likes the way other people look at his ride in traffic.
While careers, relationships, possessions, and other things are important aspects of our daily lives, they do not last forever. It is God who breathes purpose and meaning into the details of our lives, and when we seek our identity in places other than Christ, we find ourselves empty.
Identity , by bestselling author Eric Geiger ( Simple Church, Designed to Lead, Creature of the Word ) presents an exciting to bounce back and forth between fleeting earthly fulfillments or to embrace God's invitation to lose our lives and find our identity in Him.
Come discover who you really are in Christ.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2008
18 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Eric Geiger
33 books20 followersEric Geiger coauthored the multi-awarded national bestseller Simple Church and serves as executive pastor of Christ Fellowship, a large and growing multicultural church comprised of more than seventy nationalities near Miami, Florida. He and his wife, Kaye, have one daughter, Eden.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 28, 2019
Eric Geiger is one of the pastors I learn from the most. He writes clearly and thoughtfully and I always benefit from his grounded perspective. In Identity, Geiger suggests that while the world offers meaning through careers, relationships, and possessions, “only in Him are we truly made whole.” We have to know who we are to be able to know and live out who we were made to be.
While there are a lot of identities to choose from in the Bible, Geiger uses 1 Peter 2:9-11 as his grounding text for uncovering who we are. (Mostly) from that text he pulls seven biblical identities: child, priest, bride, servant, friend, alien, ambassador.
Each of these identities calls us to live in the reality of who we are in Christ:
• “As a child of God, trust your perfect Father
• As a priest, enter the presence of God anytime, anywhere.
• As His bride, live pure be He declares you pure.
• As His servant, serve gratefully.
• As God’s friend, enjoy being with God.
• As an alien in this culture, live differently.
• As God’s ambassador, represent Him in this world.”
When we live in our identity, we are liberated to be who we were meant to be, and we honor God in our lives.
Geiger’s chapter on being a child of God is perhaps the best in the book. He begins by reflecting on Augustine’s powerful quote in The Confessions, where he said, “our hearts find no peace until they rest in you.” Geiger’s reflection on David’s mercy in making his enemy Mephibosheth his son is profound. Only when we know who we are as God’s children, will we find contentment. We grow in trust and dependence. And we obey.
Geiger reminds us that, as the bride of Christ, sin is no minor offense, it is “cheating on God.” And Geiger has us consider that being a servant of God is not degrading. On the contrary, “The master served the servant by adopting him as a family member. The expression of love forever marked the servant. The servant agreed to be marked externally because he was already marked internally through the relationship to his master.”
Geiger tells us that if we truly believe we are God’s friend, then our prayer life will change, “Instead of listening, our prayers are often long run-on sentences with no commas and no pauses. God speaks to us, wanting to share His thoughts, but we often talk over Him. As His friend, listen.”
At the heart of identity is transformation. Geiger says we too often “confuse information with transformation.” And “Your life should be a statement of the gospel, a walking billboard of God’s transforming power.”
I love Geiger’s final words, which remind us that the ending of our story will be the completion and fulfillment of our identity in him. He says, “Will you live the reality of who God has made you to be? Because of the beginning (God’s mercy), will you live out the ending (God’s glory)? Live the ending.”
I commend Geiger’s book to you. The only two weaknesses of Geiger’s book are the (somewhat) arbitrary collection of identities he focuses on. There are many other identities in scripture that I would have loved to hear Geiger explore. The only other weakness is that Geiger doesn’t explore our communal identity (our identity in relation to the people of God) at all in the book and at least one chapter (bride) which is made for such a reflection is individualized in its bent.
For more reviews see www.thebeehive.live.
While there are a lot of identities to choose from in the Bible, Geiger uses 1 Peter 2:9-11 as his grounding text for uncovering who we are. (Mostly) from that text he pulls seven biblical identities: child, priest, bride, servant, friend, alien, ambassador.
Each of these identities calls us to live in the reality of who we are in Christ:
• “As a child of God, trust your perfect Father
• As a priest, enter the presence of God anytime, anywhere.
• As His bride, live pure be He declares you pure.
• As His servant, serve gratefully.
• As God’s friend, enjoy being with God.
• As an alien in this culture, live differently.
• As God’s ambassador, represent Him in this world.”
When we live in our identity, we are liberated to be who we were meant to be, and we honor God in our lives.
Geiger’s chapter on being a child of God is perhaps the best in the book. He begins by reflecting on Augustine’s powerful quote in The Confessions, where he said, “our hearts find no peace until they rest in you.” Geiger’s reflection on David’s mercy in making his enemy Mephibosheth his son is profound. Only when we know who we are as God’s children, will we find contentment. We grow in trust and dependence. And we obey.
Geiger reminds us that, as the bride of Christ, sin is no minor offense, it is “cheating on God.” And Geiger has us consider that being a servant of God is not degrading. On the contrary, “The master served the servant by adopting him as a family member. The expression of love forever marked the servant. The servant agreed to be marked externally because he was already marked internally through the relationship to his master.”
Geiger tells us that if we truly believe we are God’s friend, then our prayer life will change, “Instead of listening, our prayers are often long run-on sentences with no commas and no pauses. God speaks to us, wanting to share His thoughts, but we often talk over Him. As His friend, listen.”
At the heart of identity is transformation. Geiger says we too often “confuse information with transformation.” And “Your life should be a statement of the gospel, a walking billboard of God’s transforming power.”
I love Geiger’s final words, which remind us that the ending of our story will be the completion and fulfillment of our identity in him. He says, “Will you live the reality of who God has made you to be? Because of the beginning (God’s mercy), will you live out the ending (God’s glory)? Live the ending.”
I commend Geiger’s book to you. The only two weaknesses of Geiger’s book are the (somewhat) arbitrary collection of identities he focuses on. There are many other identities in scripture that I would have loved to hear Geiger explore. The only other weakness is that Geiger doesn’t explore our communal identity (our identity in relation to the people of God) at all in the book and at least one chapter (bride) which is made for such a reflection is individualized in its bent.
For more reviews see www.thebeehive.live.
January 27, 2018
I'm so glad for this mentorship I am a part of.
In "Identity", Eric Geiger tells us how we find ourselves in God using scripture and life experiences. He shows us how we seek God, what the bible tells us who we are as Christians and when we realize the truth about ourselves, just exactly how freeing it is to be a Christian.
This book was amazing. It helped me heal some of the old wounds I had towards people. It even caused me to reach out to an old friend and recommend this book to her on her own road to recovery. And because of that, we're speaking again.
This book was what I needed.
In "Identity", Eric Geiger tells us how we find ourselves in God using scripture and life experiences. He shows us how we seek God, what the bible tells us who we are as Christians and when we realize the truth about ourselves, just exactly how freeing it is to be a Christian.
This book was amazing. It helped me heal some of the old wounds I had towards people. It even caused me to reach out to an old friend and recommend this book to her on her own road to recovery. And because of that, we're speaking again.
This book was what I needed.
November 18, 2017
I thought this was a beneficial and pretty easy read. It was challenging but it didn't make your brain hurt thinking about everything throughout. It was pretty straight to the point. It explored the Biblical definitions of Christian identity. Things we may "know" with our head but find it difficult to really stop and ponder on during our "busy" lives. It helps you gain perspective on how we can actually embrace and live out these aspects of our identity in Christ, rather than simply acknowledging them and then forgetting about them.
November 6, 2017
Decent primer on who Christians should be in Christ
Geiger takes some titles of Christ followers from scripture and defines them for the reader in an easy to follow format. The book could use some grammatical editing, however it is quite useable for helping the average church attendee to see the need to be more than simply an attendee. Christians have a mission, a purpose in this world, and this book helps make that plain.
Geiger takes some titles of Christ followers from scripture and defines them for the reader in an easy to follow format. The book could use some grammatical editing, however it is quite useable for helping the average church attendee to see the need to be more than simply an attendee. Christians have a mission, a purpose in this world, and this book helps make that plain.
August 31, 2022
Identity takes an in-depth look at 1 Peter 2:9-11 and goes over each identity mentioned in those verses. You take a look at who you are as God's Child, Priest, Bride, Servant, Friend, Alien and Ambassador. There are questions at the end of each chapter for you to go even deeper. I would recommend especially to those that are new to faith in God and Jesus Christ but there is also a lot for more seasoned believers to absorb as well.
August 5, 2017
Challenging and Helpful
Geiger has a way of challenging Christians to recognize who we should be as Christ followers. I used this book for a group of men that I mentor, and will continue to use it in the future.
Geiger has a way of challenging Christians to recognize who we should be as Christ followers. I used this book for a group of men that I mentor, and will continue to use it in the future.
October 29, 2021
A well put together book referencing scriptures to support his points. A great book for new Christians and old ones. I imagine when I read it again (I enjoyed it that much) different parts will speak to me based on what I'm going through in life at the time.
December 18, 2019
Duplicate of Identity
April 24, 2013
iDENTITY by Eric Geiger (co-author of Simple Church) was one of three books I read for a class I was teaching on our identity in Christ.
In the very first chapter Geiger points out that this book is not written from the perspective of a biblical scholar or theologian. While I agree that it is written more from a pastoral/devotional perspective with lots of illustrations, I think Geiger sells himself a little short as the book is deeper than he advertises.
The aspects of our identity in Christ covered in this book are:
You Are His Child
You Are the Priest
You Are the Bride
You Are His Servant
You Are God’s Friend
You Are an Alien
You Are His Ambassador
What I really appreciated about the book was the heavy emphasis on scripture and it was used in a way that makes it easily understood. Again, although the author says he is not all that scholarly, he does do a good job explaining the cultural context of numerous passages of scripture.
One of my favorite chapters was “You Are the Bride”. It was a convicting chapter, especially after his exposition of Hosea. Very powerful use of scripture to describe the relationship between God and His Church. Also the discussion on the role of confession in our relationship with God, to reestablish intimacy, was outstanding.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:
“…we must be careful not to approach the faith as a way to act ourselves into a new identity. Instead of beginning with identity, we often begin with behavior. The order is wrong. Our identity must be the starting point. When we understand who we are, we are motivated to live the reality of who we are” (p. 13).
“View your spiritual journey as a journey with God, not toward Him. View your daily life as an opportunity to live with God, not simply for God. Go to work with Him. Enjoy your leisure time with God” (p. 135).
“Your identity is from God and results in God being glorified. The end result of understanding your identity is that Christ is praised. The end result of knowing who you are in Christ is that you will honor and glorify God” (p. 192-193).
This book was a great resource for teaching on our identity in Christ, but I also think this book would be excellent in a small group setting. With its devotional leanings and abundance of illustrations, it would be a book anyone could read and understand. Also at the end of each chapter the author provides some reflection questions that would work great for a group.
www.jonathanstephens.wordpress.com
@jonstephensNY
In the very first chapter Geiger points out that this book is not written from the perspective of a biblical scholar or theologian. While I agree that it is written more from a pastoral/devotional perspective with lots of illustrations, I think Geiger sells himself a little short as the book is deeper than he advertises.
The aspects of our identity in Christ covered in this book are:
You Are His Child
You Are the Priest
You Are the Bride
You Are His Servant
You Are God’s Friend
You Are an Alien
You Are His Ambassador
What I really appreciated about the book was the heavy emphasis on scripture and it was used in a way that makes it easily understood. Again, although the author says he is not all that scholarly, he does do a good job explaining the cultural context of numerous passages of scripture.
One of my favorite chapters was “You Are the Bride”. It was a convicting chapter, especially after his exposition of Hosea. Very powerful use of scripture to describe the relationship between God and His Church. Also the discussion on the role of confession in our relationship with God, to reestablish intimacy, was outstanding.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:
“…we must be careful not to approach the faith as a way to act ourselves into a new identity. Instead of beginning with identity, we often begin with behavior. The order is wrong. Our identity must be the starting point. When we understand who we are, we are motivated to live the reality of who we are” (p. 13).
“View your spiritual journey as a journey with God, not toward Him. View your daily life as an opportunity to live with God, not simply for God. Go to work with Him. Enjoy your leisure time with God” (p. 135).
“Your identity is from God and results in God being glorified. The end result of understanding your identity is that Christ is praised. The end result of knowing who you are in Christ is that you will honor and glorify God” (p. 192-193).
This book was a great resource for teaching on our identity in Christ, but I also think this book would be excellent in a small group setting. With its devotional leanings and abundance of illustrations, it would be a book anyone could read and understand. Also at the end of each chapter the author provides some reflection questions that would work great for a group.
www.jonathanstephens.wordpress.com
@jonstephensNY
May 15, 2013
Great book. I believe that one of the greatest tragedies of the present age is that too many believers live defeated Christian lives because they don't truly understand who they are in Christ, and the power they have to live victoriously.
March 19, 2013
Excellent book. Very helpful. Excellent illustrations.
January 18, 2014
I recommend this book to all new believers who want to form to the image of Christ. This book challenged to to see the inheritance that we have received in Christ early on in my walk with Christ.
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March 19, 2015Great Book.
Great book. Really enjoyed the read. It's so powerful to know who we are in Christ Jesus. Jesus has done it all for us and we now are In Him.
Great book. Really enjoyed the read. It's so powerful to know who we are in Christ Jesus. Jesus has done it all for us and we now are In Him.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews