WHO ARE YOU ?

How do you describe yourself? 

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 1 Peter 1:1-2

Notice how this once beleaguered disciple introduced himself. He didn't use 'Simon', the name given to him at birth. He referred to himself as 'Peter' ... the name given to him by Jesus. He also affirmed that he was an 'apostle' (sent one). His new identity is intimately attached to Christ. Everything else about him became a dim, vaporous past. 

Those to whom Peter was writing were also mentioned. Notice that they were described as chosen by the Father, through a work of the Spirit, for obedience to the Son. Their identity was not dictated by self-determination but by the Triune God Himself. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

The Lord does not merely clean up the 'old self'. He completely remakes you and replaces your carnal-mind existence with a life empowered by His Spirit. You are adopted into God's family, no longer an orphan separated from Him because of sin.

Who you are is determined by 'Whose' you are. 

A right relationship with the Father comes through the Son. That alone determines your 'identity' as a believer. In Christ, you are loved, forgiven, secure, justified, redeemed, and reconciled.