Jesus is our identity in Ephesians.
Not a piece of who we are, but the very center of who we are.
This letter is rich, layered, and anchored in one truth: If you are in Christ, you
are not who you used to be.
Paul writes with the voice of a pastor and the clarity of a
prophet. He is not just trying to teach the Ephesians something new—he is
trying to remind them of who they already are in Jesus.
Jesus, the Chosen One Who Chose Us
Ephesians opens with worship.
Before Paul gives instruction, he gives adoration—and it is all about
Jesus:
“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins…”
(Ephesians 1:4, 7)
Jesus is not an add-on to our life story.
He is the one who wrote us into His.
We are:
- Chosen
in Jesus
- Redeemed
through Jesus
- Forgiven
by Jesus
- Marked
with the Holy Spirit because of Jesus
Our identity is not something we earn.
It is something Jesus secured.
Jesus, the Risen King and Head of the Church
Paul then paints a vision of cosmic power:
“God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him
to be head over everything for the church…” (Ephesians 1:22)
Jesus is not only our Savior.
He is our King.
He is above every rule, every name, every power.
And the same power that raised Him from the dead?
It lives in us.
We are not powerless.
We are not forgotten.
We are not aimless.
We are seated with Christ—because we are in Him.
Jesus, the Peace Between Divided People
Ephesians also deals with the realness of division—Jew and
Gentile, insider and outsider.
And Paul says this:
“For He Himself is our peace… His purpose was to create
in Himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace.” (Ephesians
2:14–15)
Jesus is not only our peace with God—He is our peace with
one another.
He does not just tear down the wall between us and heaven.
He tears down the walls between each other.
Racism. Classism. Religious elitism.
Jesus breaks them all.
In Jesus, we are one body.
One family.
One people—called to walk in unity, humility, and love.
Jesus, the Model for the New Life
The second half of Ephesians is all about how to live because
of Jesus.
Put off the old self.
Be made new in your mind.
Put on the new self—created to be like God in true righteousness and
holiness.
Whether Paul is talking about marriage, work, parenting, or
church unity—Jesus is the model.
We forgive because Jesus forgave.
We love because Jesus loved.
We serve because Jesus served.
We stand in spiritual warfare because Jesus won.
Jesus Is Our Identity. Live Like You Belong to Him.
Ephesians reminds me that I do not have to go searching for
myself.
I find myself in Jesus.
He gives me:
- A name
- A seat
- A
calling
- A
covering
- A
power
- A
purpose
So I walk worthy.
Not because I earned it.
But because I am already His.