Dr. Charles Stanley is one of America's most respected pastors and best-selling authors. He teaches that if you are in relationship with Jesus Christ, having received Him as your Lord and Savior, then you are no longer "in Adam." You have a new identity "in Christ." Dr. Stanley stresses the vital importance of knowing and understanding your new identity. It determines our feelings about ourselves, actions, behaviors, priorities, hope for the future, etc. In Dr. Stanley's InTouch Study Series, Discover Your Identity In Christ, he states:
"More than any other factor, what you believe about yourself as a Christian determines your self-identity and your self-esteem...It is critically important today that we know who we are in Christ"
On a daily basis we make a choice to believe for God's best (the positive and truthful) or to believe the negative. We can choose to believe the Word because God said it and He is faithful and true or we can choose to believe what is contrary to the Word because it may appear to be the truth. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we're exhorted to cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. When we're tempted to believe what is contrary to the Word, we can speak the Word and choose not to take anything to heart that is not of God.
We can also pray, "Lord, I choose the Truth, I believe Your Word. You said You are the way, the truth, and the life. Lord, help me in my unbelief." When we believe we are who God says we are, we're empowered. We can face opposition and challenges to our faith with confidence in the Truth.
