We’re so excited to have the AFFIRM Original movie, “Birthright Outlaw” now streaming exclusively on Great American Pure Flix. “Birthright Outlaw” follows married couple Jeremiah and Martha Rose Jacobs on the journey to save their daughter who’s been kidnapped by a band of outlaws, led by Martha Rose’s father.
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Martha Rose Jacobs knew of the birthright her father spoke over her since she was born: her father wanted her to inherit his authority over the outlaw group, The House Gang, and continue their family’s legacy as outlaws in the Wild West. But Martha Rose didn’t want that lifestyle, nor did she want that legacy to be passed on to her daughter, Hope. When Martha Rose was pregnant with Hope, she asked herself, ‘is this birthright a blessing?’
That’s when Jeremiah entered her life. Martha Rose comes to know Jesus through her husband, Rev. Jeremiah Jacobs, who showed her what God’s unconditional love, grace and mercy looks like. Martha Rose reveals that Jeremiah’s example made her realize she could break the chains of her family’s legacy and leave her past sins behind. She could be redeemed and forgiven for her past and take on a new identity of being a daughter of God.
Suddenly, her heart was on fire for God. Her desire for this new identity motivated her to follow Christ and leave the outlaw life behind. She finally found her true identity in Christ.
We all have the opportunity to be redeemed and find our own identity in Christ, just like Martha Rose did. Today we’re going to dive deeper into what it means to find our identity in Christ and how we can live that out.
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What Does It Mean to Find Our Identity in Christ?
Finding identity in Christ will look different for every person. One’s journey to understanding how they are a child of God and accepting their identity in Christ will look vastly different than another’s. That said, there are still some tenets of finding our identity in Christ that we can count as universal for all Christians who accept God’s transformational love.
1. You Are Loved
The first part of finding our identity in Christ is accepting that God loves us. Simple as that - His love is so vast, that we aren’t even able to comprehend how much He loves us. Each of us is individually and uniquely made by God, in His image, as Genesis 1:27 (NIV) tells us. Let’s look at some Bible verses that tells us about God’s love for each and every one of us:
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
1 John 4:19 (NIV)
We love because he first loved us.
Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
2. You Are Chosen
God called each and every one of us individually to know Him and be a part of His family. He invites every one of us to share eternal life with Him in heaven. God sent His son to earth to die so that we have the chance to be a part of God’s family and be His children. Here are some Bible verses that show we’re chosen as children of God:
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
3. You Are Forgiven
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, of dying on the cross, we are forgiven. His sacrifice set us free from the chains of sin that threatened our chance at eternal life. Though we may still sin, when we ask for His mercy, He will forgive us no matter what. The ability to be forgiven when we ask for grace is part of our identity in Christ.
Romans 6:6 (NIV)
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—
Psalms 32:5 (NIV)
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Read Also: Jesus Died for Us: 10 Powerful Bible Verses About Salvation
4. You Are Redeemed
Being forgiven for every sin means that our entire being has been fully redeemed in the eyes of the Lord. Being redeemed means that Christ’s sacrifice has made us children of God and erased our Original Sin. We are a new creation because of our identity in Christ and in His redemption.
Psalms 111:9 (NIV)
He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name.
Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
Hebrews 9:15 (NIV)
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
5. You Are Adopted
What does it mean to be considered a child of God? It means that He has adopted us and receives us just like any parent would for their own child. He cares deeply about us, protects us, guides us and loves us. When we accept Christ into our life, we become adopted members of God’s family. We can be sure of our identity as children of Christ.
Galatians 3:27 (NIV)
for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Romans 8:14-17 (NIV)
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Read Also: How to Embrace Our Identity as a Child of God with These Bible Verses
How Can I Grow My Identity in Christ?
Finding our identity in Christ means that we don’t listen to what the world tries to tell us is right, but rather that we look to God to guide us in the right direction. Seeking God’s will, we find the wisdom and understanding of who God is calling us to be, which is our true identity in Christ. Let’s take a look at some scriptures that detail what it means to find our identity in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 John 4:4 (NIV)
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
1 Thess 1:6 (NIV)
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19 (NIV)
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
As Martha Rose in “Birthright Outlaw” shows, not every birthright or family legacy passed down from generation to generation is a blessing. What is a blessing, though, is that our past doesn’t have to define who we are. We can choose to break free from the binds of past sins, thanks to the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Because Christ died for our sins and gave us the chance at salvation, we are offered a new identity in Christ as children of God. We are promised eternal life, God’s transformational love, grace and mercy.
To dive deeper into the Biblical themes of the movie “Birthright Outlaw,” download our three-part Bible study now. And don’t forget to watch “Birthright Outlaw” only available on Great American Pure Flix. Not a member? Sign up for a free trial.
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