Adulthood #1 — Being Secure – Living from the Fullness of Identity in Christ
As we continue to learn the pathway of discipleship, we recognise from 1 John 2:12-14 a clear progression — a developmental movement in our walk with Jesus. This pathway engages the four stages we have identified:
Infancy – learning identity, repentance, and establishing foundations.
Childhood – establishing identity in Christ, growing in obedience and trust.
Adolescence – walking in strength, overcoming, and exercising spiritual maturity and authority.
Adulthood – living out of the abundance of Christ who is well formed within our lives.
The adult stage of discipleship moves beyond simply receiving, establishing, and participating — the characteristics of the earlier stages — into participating in, reproducing, and stewarding God’s mission with identifiable fruit.
The goal of Christian maturity is not simply becoming a stronger believer; it is becoming someone through whom the life and love of Christ are expressed. It is a person who reproduces faith in Jesus by fully embracing the calling to be a disciple-maker.
An adult disciple is not merely someone who knows more, does more, or has more experience. An adult disciple is someone who is fruitful — someone whose life reflects Christ and contributes to the spiritual growth and maturity of others.
The adolescent disciple has discovered and become secure in their identity in Christ. The adult disciple lives from that identity.
This means there is no longer a need to prove who they are, defend their worth, or seek validation from others. Their identity is settled. Their posture is:
‘I am God’s beloved child; therefore, I am free to give myself to others.’
We remember the Father’s declaration over Jesus at His baptism:
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
Before Jesus began His public ministry, before He performed miracles, before He taught crowds, the Father declared His identity. His sonship was not earned through achievement; it was received through relationship.
This security is the foundation for everything else.
The adult disciple is not searching for identity but living from a settled identity. Their confidence is not found in success, recognition, gifting, or usefulness, but in belonging to Christ. They are secure enough to serve without needing to be noticed.
They live from identity, not for identity.
Paul wrote to the church in Colossae:
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him…” (Colossians 2:6-7)
The adult disciple has a settled confidence:
“I belong to Christ. I am His son. I am His daughter.”
Because this identity is secure, the question changes. We move from asking:
“Who am I?”
to asking:
“Because I know who I am in Christ, how does He want to express Himself through me?”
The adult disciple is not consumed with establishing themselves. Instead, they become available to God’s purposes. Their calling, gifting, and ministry flow naturally from who they are in Christ.
If they are a leader, servant-based leadership becomes the natural outcome of this secure identity. Humility becomes an easy place to live because they know both what they are gifted in and where they need others. They do not need to compete, control, or protect their position because their worth is not dependent upon their role. They are devoted to and dependant on God.
The adult disciple creates space for others to learn, grow, excel, and even surpass them, because they trust that God is the giver of assignments and opportunities. If He has found them faithful with what He has already entrusted to them, He will continue to lead them into His purposes and new opportunities.
This security also shapes how we represent Christ. We identify with Him not only through the manner of our lives but also through our words and witness.
We are unashamed, as Paul writes, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16)
We are unintimidated as Paul writes, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
The Lordship of Christ becomes undeniable to those closest to us because our lives consistently reflect who we belong to. The qualification for elders in 1 Timothy 3:7 (that they are of good reputation with those who do not believe in Jesus as Lord and Saviour) serves as wise counsel to adult disciples regarding how they are perceived, that their life is display for all to see!
The adult disciple therefore lives out of the fullness of identity in Christ.
Secure in who they are.
Humble in how they serve.
Full of grace and truth in how they represent Him.
They are no longer living to become someone.
They are living because they already know whose they are.
Reflection Questions
The journey into spiritual adulthood begins with a settled confidence: I know who I am because I know whose I am.
Take some time to reflect on these questions:
Am I living from my identity in Christ, or am I still trying to establish my identity through achievement, recognition, usefulness, or the approval of others?
Is my security in Christ freeing me to serve others, or am I still needing to prove myself?
How does my understanding that I am God’s beloved son or daughter shape the way I lead, serve, and relate to others?
What would change if I truly believed that I do not need to compete for significance because my identity is already secure in Christ?
How do you walk beside others and their sense of identity in Christ?
The adult disciple is not someone who has arrived or who no longer needs to grow. Rather, the adult disciple is someone who has become secure enough in Christ to allow His life to flow through them for the sake of others.
Closing Prayer
Father,
Thank You that before I do anything for You, I belong to You.
Thank You that our identity is not something I need to earn, defend, or prove. In Christ, I am Your beloved child, welcomed into relationship with You through grace and faith.
Teach me to live from this secure identity. Free me from the need for recognition, comparison, or validation. Help me to serve with humility, lead with grace, and give myself freely to others because I know that I am already fully known and fully loved by You.
Lord Jesus, may Your life be increasingly formed within me. May my words, my actions, my relationships, and my witness reveal that I belong to You.
Make me a disciple who does not simply receive from You, but who faithfully reproduces Your life in others.
May I live secure in who I am, humble in how I serve, full of grace and truth as I represent You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Call to Action
This week, take time to intentionally recognise and affirm your identity in Christ.
Before considering what you are called to do, remind yourself of who you are:
I am God’s beloved child.
I belong to Christ.
My worth is found in Him, not in what I achieve.
My purpose flows from my identity, not the need to establish it.
Then ask the Lord:
‘Jesus, because I know who I am in You, how do You desire to express Your life through me today?’
Look for opportunities to serve, encourage, release, and invest in others — not to gain significance, but because significance has already been given to you in Christ.
This blog was written by Richard Botta.
