I have been a Christian for many years, but I never realized before how much God loves me!
Danger in personal affirmations
Much has been written about the value of personal affirmations. Self-improvement books, personal training, and courses on success have illustrated and confirmed their value. The old classic, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, is an example. Many successful leaders apply these principles on a regular basis. However, for the Christian there is danger here. Many of the examples in the self-improvement books are designed to help one achieve personal wealth, power, influence, and success. While there is nothing wrong with any of these as such, as Christians we must be very careful of three things.(1) Is our goal compatible with biblical values? Are we striving toward a Christian “worthy ideal”? (2) Do our plans to reach our desired goal include only the activities that reflect the morality and integrity of Christian character? (3) Do we sense a call of God, a spiritual motivation, to pursue our goal knowing we are in the will of God? If we cannot answer affirmatively to all three of these, then our self-made affirmations may lead us away from Christ and strengthen our selfishness which is the root of all sorts of evil.1
There is much value, however, in following the right path to holiness. And that path is to believe what God has declared about the believing Christian. We have stated this truth on several previous occasions and for good reason. It is the key to victory in the Christian life. These “in” and “with” Christ truths, declarations, and magnificent and precious promises are to be our personal affirmations. We know they are the will of God because they are the commands, declarations, and promises of Scripture.
In our Romans home Bible study group after completing chapter 8, each person was given the assignment to write out who he/she was “in Christ” using some 30 New Testament declarations. The next week the members of the group read these “gospel affirmations”. There were fedry eyes as each member read or listened to the others read, who they are “in Christ”. After one lady read her prepared statement, with tears in her eyes she said, “I have been a Christian for many years, but I never realized before how much God loves me!”
Personal affirmations of gospel truth
Using the “in” and “with” Christ truths and the magnificent promises listed in the last chapter,2 write out a statement of who you are “in” and “with” Christ. Remember Abraham; God counted him righteous because he believed what God had declared. We, too, are to focus our thinking on “things above” —the “in” and “with” Christ truths we have studied. These with the magnificent and precious promises of the New Testament are able to provide everything we need for life and godliness. That is the promise of His word!3
Following are illustrations of what might be used as gospel affirmations. However, I highly recommend that you review the last chapter, and write out your own statement of who you now are “in Christ”. The very act of doing this will prove to be a blessing to you. Remember, we believe because God has declared it so! I suggest that after you have prepared your gospel affirmation that you read it often. Read it out loud when you wake up in the morning. Read it out loud before you go to sleep at night. As you do this, these gospel truths will transform your life.
Options and Illustrations
There are many ways one can apply what we have discovered regarding “in-Christ” truth. One can write out who they are in Christ as mentioned above. The statement could be short, listing only the truths you feel most relevant to your personal situation here and now. Read this every day for a week and then next week you could re-read the list of “in-Christ” truths and select others to consider for that week. Here is what one member of our home Bible study group wrote.
In Christ I have been fully redeemed. Jesus died on the cross for me and for my sins. Now I am a new person and walking in a new life. I am clothed in Jesus’ righteousness. I am dead to the power of sin and I am spiritually complete. In Christ I have been brought near to God, chosen to be holy and blameless with no condemnation. In Christ I am God’s masterpiece. I am already seated in heavenly places at the right hand of God. In Christ I will be eternally in the presence of God. In Christ I am and always will be His beloved.
Another option would be to select just one or two “in-Christ” truths. Memorize the Scriptures upon which these are based, write them on a card or note pad and carry this with you for a week at a time. Meditate on this truth, ask questions of it, and pray about these truths. Teach them to someone else. Then, the next week select one or two other “in-Christ” truths and do the same with these.
For example, if you grew up fearing the judgment as I did, and not knowing if you were good enough to meet Christ in peace, you might choose John 5:24 and Colossians 1:12 for this week’s affirmation.
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
Remember to put these truths into personal affirmations.
I now have eternal life and I will not come into judgment because I have already passed out of the realm of death into the realm of life. I know this is true because my Father has already qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
After studying the book of Ephesians some years ago, here is what one person wrote.
I was personally chosen by God the Father to be holy and blameless “in Christ”. I have been adopted into the family of God with full rights of inheritance “in Christ”. Christ has paid the redemption price to set me free from the controlling power of sin. Christ has forgiven all the guilt of all my sins. Christ has revealed to me that someday everyone and everything will submit to Christ’s lordship-I am on the winning team! I have heard the word of truth. I have believed the good news of the gospel of salvation “in Christ”. I have been sealed with the Holy Spirit who guarantees that I will receive the promised inheritance. Because of who I am “in Christ”, I am equipped to handle the difficulties, pressures, problems, stresses, uncertainties, and disappointments that may come to me today. I know where I came from, why I am here, and where I am going. I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus! I am a child of the King to the praise of His glory!
Perhaps you would like to have your affirmation include as many of the “in” and “with” Christ truths as possible as this person did.
I have heard and believed gospel truth that Christ died for my sin, was buried, was raised from the dead, and is now seated at the Father’s right hand. Yes, and I was raised up with Christ so that all the “in Christ” truths, declarations, and promises of the New Testament now apply to me. Therefore, I have freely received all of God’s grace and all my sins have been forgiven. I have been brought near to God by the blood of Christ. I am a new creature in Christ and I am a member of His new creation-the church. I have received every spiritual blessing in Christ. Now that I am in Christ I have the very righteousness of God credited to my account. In Christ Jesus I am sanctified and perfected. I am now a mature, beloved child of God with full rights of inheritance. My inheritance in the kingdom of light is guaranteed by the seal of the Holy Spirit which I received the moment I trusted Christ for salvation. I am now free from the law of sin and death. I am free from the law in that I died with Christ and the law’s ability to condemn me ended at the tomb. I am dead to sin; yes, I am free from sin in Christ. I am a dwelling for the Holy Spirit therefore I have liberty to follow God’s plan for my life. I am no longer fearful of the judgment because I have passed once and for all out of the realm of death into the realm of life. Christ was judged, condemned, and suffered the wrath that should have been mine. I am no longer fearful of death because I now have eternal life in Christ. I have been reconciled to God and now can experience peace with God and can live victoriously in the peace of God. I have received a spiritual gift and desire to use it in loving fellowship with other Christians. When I see other Christians sinning I will no longer gossip, but will help them to know who they are, or can be, “in Christ Jesus.” I will continue to review the many blessings of the gospel and in so doing I know that the Holy Spirit will work out in my life the fruit of the Spirit.
As you continue to affirm gospel truth, over time you will be renewing your mind as you allow the Holy Spirit to create your “new self” in Christ Jesus.4
When I was doing an in-depth study of Romans 3:21-26, I memorized this section and when I took my daily walk or run I would repeat this wonderful passage. I would consider each point, pray about it, and relish in the gospel of God’s matchless grace. It is a life-changing passage.
At the conclusion of this book we have included a page that you may copy or cut out as you wish. This page numbers 27 of the “in Christ” truths in summary form. We suggest that you use a numbered memory-hook system5 so that youc an easily recall these life-transforming truths. Then throughout the day you can go over them, meditate on each one. Thank God for the transforming gospel that He has so freely bestowed on us poor sinners!
Strive to be who you now are “in Christ”
Thus far we have given little attention to the idea of striving in the Christian life. However, Scripture in many places speaks of Christians striving in their battle with sin and the flesh.6 The admonitions to a changed lifestyle, however, come after a thorough presentation of the gospel, lest we fall back into trusting our good behavior — which is never good enough-for our acceptance with God. Paul gives an illustrative description in his fight with self.
Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified (1 Cor. 9:26-27).
The passage listed below is a very important verse dealing with the process of sanctification. I am listing this passage from the New English Translation as I believe the New American Standard Bible is incorrect in its rendering of Romans 8:10. I have added my comments and/or interpretation in brackets in the passage below.
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, your body is [spiritually] dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of [Christ’s] righteousness [imputed to you]. Moreover if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies [spiritually] alive through his Spirit who lives in you. So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to [continually] live according to the flesh (for if you [continually] live according to the flesh, you will [spiritually] die), but if by the Spirit [the active Agent in sanctification] you [continually] put to death the deeds of the body you will [spiritually] live (Rom. 8:8-13).
By adding “continually” I am in essence giving a secondary interpretation to this text. Many hold that Paul is primarily showing what will be the end result of those who “live according to the flesh.” Nevertheless, this verse also has a direct application to us here and now.
This insightful passage teaches us that even though we live in a body that has a sinful nature, by cooperating with the indwelling Holy Spirit we can continually put to death the deeds of the flesh. We no longer owe a debt to our sinful nature to carry out the ongoing sin that is prompted by this nature.
The question comes again. How do we cooperate with the Holy Spirit who is the active agent, the power in life change? We have already stated that it is to affirm the truth of who we now are “in” and “with” Christ. Lest some read into this the idea that there is nothing else for us to do, I want to expand on this truth. Not only are we to affirm biblical truth, we are to strive to be the person we now are “in” and “with” Christ. It is not enough just to say l am a child of God, we are also to strive to live like a child of God. And this will hold true for every one of the “in” and “with” Christ truths. Therefore as we rehearse each of these biblical affirmations let us ask God to show us any changes that need to be made in our lives in order to be more like who we now are “in Christ”. I have at times likened this to running in a race holding in our pocket the winning trophy. We may stumble, even fall, in the footrace of life, but all the while we cling to the winning trophy. The fact that “in Christ” we have already won, removes any condemnation when we stumble or fall. We are complete “in Him” and this ongoing state remains until we meet Him in glory.
Affirm gospel truth with thanksgiving
As we read and meditate on the many “in-Christ” truths in our personal affirmations, we are not trying to make ourselves believe what is not true as many of the success programs do. Rather because these affirmations are based upon the truths of God’s word, we affirm gospel truth to counter the many lies springing from our own sinful nature, worldly influences, and deceptions of Satan.
When we review our gospel affirmations we contemplate the great love and sacrifice Christ made for us. As we understand more of the depths of God’s love in our salvation our hearts melt with gratitude and joy. We can echo Paul’s songs of praise and thanksgiving.
…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. (Eph.3:16-20).
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things (Phil. 4:6-8).
Gospel transformation in “one another” ministry
Can you imagine a Christian fellowship where if one believer sees another believer living in sin, instead of gossiping, he goes to the sinning believer and helps that person understand who he is “in” and “with” Christ and then helps him live that way? Could it be that the same path to holiness that works for us would work in a sinning brother or sister? Could an in-depth understanding of the gospel by each and every church member be the catalyst to foster true, loving “one another” ministry in church or group settings? Why not start practicing gospel transformation and then share it with others? There are many discouraged church members who only put on a front of a peaceful life. Inside they are full of guilt and frustration thinking they can never be good enough. Now, you are in a position to help them.
Yes, gospel transformation is gazing at the glory of the gospel. By so doing we are being transformed into God’s image by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:12-18).
Who I now am “in Christ”
“I believe it because God’s word declares it”
- I am now under no condemnation.
- I now have received all of God’s grace.
- I now have been brought near to God by the blood of Christ.
- I am now a new creature in Christ Jesus.
- I am now part of a new creation which is Christ’s church.
- I now have received every spiritual blessing “in Christ”.
- I am now part of a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices of praise to God and serving others.
- I am now justified and acquitted from all sin
- I now have the very righteousness of God credited to my account.
- I am now redeemed from the slavery of sin.
- I am now reconciled to God.
- I now have peace with God.
- I am now sanctified, perfected, and set apart in Christ.
- I am now free from the law of sin and death.
- I am now a dwelling for the Spirit of God.
- I am now sealed by the Holy Spirit who guarantees my inheritance.
- I now have received a spiritual gift.
- I now have liberty in Christ.
- I now have eternal life.
- I now have once and for all passed out of the realm of death into the realm of life.
- I now have entered God’s rest.
- I am now freed from sin.
- I am now dead to sin.
- I am now free from the law.
- I am now adopted into God’s family.
- I am now a mature child of God.
- I am now qualified to share the inheritance of the saints in light.
This and the following pages are for you to add other “in” and “with” Christ truths and magnificent and precious promises made to believing Christians. You will find these as you read through the New Testament. Enter the “truth” or “promise” and the Bible reference and add them to your gospel affirmations.
Endnotes
- See 1 Tim. 6:10.
- You can add to these as you read through the New Testament looking for them.
- See 2 Pet. 2-4.
- Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10.
- You can find several on Google, or in books on memory.
- See Lk. 13:25; 1 Tim. 4:10; Heb. 12:4.
- 12. Affirm Gospel Truth - June 4, 2026
- 11. Know the “in” and “with” Christ truths - May 28, 2026
- 10. Know Where You Are - May 21, 2026