Who is Christ? 

The apostle John said Jesus was sent by God so that we may know eternal life (John 17:3). Paul echoes this when he equated the mystery of God with Christ, in whom “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2), and “all the fullness of Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9).  

Simply put, Christ is God. But is He our God?  Jesus Himself declared “I and the Father are one” (John 10:24-30) and that He gives eternal life to His sheep (v28).  Do we believe this in our hearts?  

Who am I in Christ?  

This is our response to who Jesus is. Salvation is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9) which we can either accept or not. Receiving Christ requires a personal encounter and decision – nobody can do this for us.  

Before we come to this point, we need to hear about Jesus (Romans 10:14).  The church in Colossae was planted through the ministry of Epaphras.  Most of us came to Christ because somebody shared the gospel to us.  But it doesn’t stop there.  We need to accept our sinfulness and our need for a Savior.  Paul recognized this struggle (Romans 7:14-19) and declared victory over sin through Jesus, who forgave all our sins and nailed it to the cross! (Colossians 2:13-15). 

Finally, we need to surrender to Christ. Death and sin are already defeated, but we live in a fallen world that will continue to impose its identity on us, even if we are already followers of Christ (Colossians 2:20-22). Surrender is not a one-time event, it is a continuing commitment, just as Paul encouraged the Colossians to “continue living your lives in Him” (Colossians 2:6).  

Paradoxically, this life of surrender leads to freedom and our true identity. 

I am free in Christ!  

Free from bondage to the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1John 2:16). Free from the lie that we can define good and evil (Genesis 2:4-5).  Free from slavery to sin, for “if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!” (John 8:34-36).  

The story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) perfectly illustrates the heart of the Father.  Even when we have squandered our inheritance as children of God, He runs to welcome us when we repent.  Even when we are not worthy to be called His children, He throws a feast in heaven when a son or daughter returns.  

Such is our freedom in Christ! In Him alone can we truly live out our identity.