Have you ever struggled with your identity and purpose? Wondering what the Bible says about a person’s purpose or who God says you are? Here are 35 powerful Bible verses on identity and purpose to give you clarity and confidence in who God made you to be.
If you’re like most of us, your probably had some pretty awkward years of your life between the ages of 12-18. There’s just something about those pre teen and teenage years where you’re not totally sure who you or what you’ll be yet, but it feels like everyone is watching you… at all times.
For some of us our twenties are much better, although the onslaught of social media and constant digital comparison has made those years harder too.
But now as I’m inching closer to 40, I’m finally learning that my identity is not solely based in what I look like, what music I like or where I live. My identity is in Christ and who He made me to be.
There are so many Bible verses on identity in Christ, and I think that’s because it’s so easy for us to forget whose we are. That’s why we have to turn to God’s Word.
If you have welcomed Jesus into your heart, if you believe that God is the Creator of the world and that the Holy Spirit was given to live inside of us, then you are a child of God. Don’t let the world and the lies of our culture confuse you on the things that really matter.
Here is some truth and bible verses about identity and worth for when you need a reminder of who you are.
(All verses are NIV translation unless otherwise noted.)
How does God define our identity?
When you become a Christian, God gives you a new identity. How cool is that?? And no, it’s not like you’re in the witness protection program and everything from your past life is erased. Instead, God makes you a new creation that reveals your true identity as one of God’s children.
God defines your identity as forgiven, loved, and accepted. You are made in the image of God and as a believer, you become a part of the body of Christ. That means YOU are God’s hands and feet, moving and living in the world to bring Him glory.
Here’s what the word of God says about how God defines our identity:
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Genesis 1:27
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
John 1:12
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
2 Corinthians 3:4-5
“Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.”
Psalm 118:6
“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Romans 8:31
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:37
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Why is it important to know your identity in Christ?
Why do you need to know your identity in Christ? Because if you don’t know whose you are, it will be easy to lose sight of who you are. When we remember that we are children of God, it changes how we operate and live our lives on a daily basis.
We don’t make decisions and treat other people solely based on how we feel or what we think. That only causes pain and trauma in the end.
Instead, when our identity is in Christ Jesus, we make decisions based on what we know God wants for our lives. We learn His character and His nature and try to imitate that in everything we say and do.
Our identity in Christ affects every area of our lives as we focus more on bringing Him glory than bringing fame and recognition to ourselves.
These verses remind us of our identity in Christ:
Ephesians 2:19
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [outsiders without rights of citizenship], but you are fellow citizens with the saints (God’s people), and are [members] of God’s household,”
Ephesians 1:4-6 (NKJV)
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”
Galatians 3:26-27
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Matthew 5:13-14
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Ephesians 3:12
“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
Psalm 62:5-6
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”
1 John 5:14
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
Psalm 112:7
“They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”
What does the Bible say about purpose and identity?
Do you ever wonder why you’re here or what you were actually made for? You’re not alone. But I can assure that God does nothing without a reason, which means you are here for a purpose!
If you’re in a season of life where you’re wrestling to understand who you are or what God wants you to do, I encourage you to look for reminders of what God says about you.
These verses are great places to start for what the Bible says about purpose and identity.
Romans 8:15-16
“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.”
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Colossians 1:16
“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”
2 Corinthians 5:20
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
Romans 8:17
“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.”
1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Psalm 8:4-6
“What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,”
What does the Bible say about a person’s purpose?
In our world today, most of us tend to associate our purpose with our career, our jobs or our families. “My purpose is to raise my kids to be good people.” “My purpose is to build a business that helps my community.”
While none of these answers are wrong or sinful, they’re also not the full picture. Why? Because God created us to be part of something so much bigger than just ourselves.
Here’s what the Bible says about a person’s purpose.
Matthew 22:37-39
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Ephesians 4:22-24
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Romans 12:2
“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.”
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Proverbs 19:21
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
If you, your child or even a friend are finding it hard to find their identity, remember that God’s truth can tell us everything we need to know! Each of these verses from the Bible affirm that our identity is rooted in God’s creation, love, and purpose for us as His children.
And no matter what you are facing today or struggling with, you can still let God’s light shine through you by seeking the will of God and filling your mind with His promises.
Now we’d like to know… Which of these verses will you memorize, cling to and share today?
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Abby Flynn is a writer, wife and mom of 2 living in Charlotte, North Carolina. She loves coffee, travel and one day wants to live at the beach.