The Benefit of a New Identity | Tony Evans

We’ve been looking at a process this week that is very important. You must first know you are united with Jesus Christ, then you must reckon or count it to be so. Now I want to show you that you must yield to your new identity in Christ.

Let’s begin with Romans 6:12: “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts.” Now it doesn’t say you won’t have lusts. The Holy Spirit will stop you from fulfilling the desires of the flesh, but He won’t necessarily stop you from having the desires of the flesh.

Instead, God’s provision is that you don’t have to let your desires “act like the boss” in your life. You don’t have to obey what your fleshly desires are telling you to do.

One of my ministerial responsibilities is performing weddings. In every ceremony comes the place where I ask, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

Generally, it’s the father who says, “I do.” When that happens, an exchange takes place.

Now, I have bad news for the father. Once he says “I do,” he can sit down. I’m through with him.

The bridegroom steps up to replace the father. He and the bride come before me, I go through the service, and then I close the ceremony by saying, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Then the audience will stand and receive the new Mr. and Mrs. So-and-So.

That young lady has been transformed, not because she’s not the same person, but because she has a new identity now. Once she has been presented by her father, she comes under a new authority. She enters into a new relationship.

The first man is overruled by a newer man for one reason alone. This woman has transferred identities. The Bible says you have transferred your identity to Christ. So, when that old man called the flesh starts telling you what to do, you are supposed to respond, “I have a new Husband now. See, I’m wearing a new ring. I have a new name.”

You must yield yourself to God on a daily basis. You begin your day by saying, “Lord, I am married to You, so please enable me today to be crucified with You.” You must yield, or present, yourself to Christ.