In last week’s post, we unpacked the powerful truth that your identity in Christ is not achieved—it’s received. That changes everything.

But now, let’s make it practical. Because it’s one thing to say “I know who I am in Christ”… it’s another to live like it.

So let me ask you: ARE you living free?

A-R-E is more than a word. It’s an acronym I use to help ground believers in their God-given identity.

Let’s unpack Who You A.R.E. in Christ :

A — You Are Accepted

Not tolerated. Not on spiritual probation. Not barely hanging on.

You are fully accepted by God—right now. Not when you get your act together. Not when you’re more consistent with Bible reading. Not when you pray longer. Now, as you come to Christ!

“Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you…” — Romans 15:7

Jesus doesn’t just tolerate you. He welcomes you. He doesn’t flinch when He sees your flaws. He’s not waiting to revoke your access pass. No—He embraced you at the cross.

You are accepted.

R — You Are Redeemed

You have to understand you are not just forgiven…you’re redeemed. Bought. Purchased. Owned.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law…” — Galatians 3:13

In the Greek, the word redeem literally means to buy someone out of slavery in order to set them free.

This is your identity: set free and bought with a price.

Don’t live like you’re renting your salvation. You belong to Christ. And what He owns, He protects. He provides. He disciplines. He transforms. He treasures.

E — You Are Equipped

God doesn’t just save you and sit you on a shelf. He equips you to run your race.

“May the God of peace… equip you with everything good for doing his will…” — Hebrews 13:21

You don’t need to wait until you “feel ready” to walk in your calling. You’ve already got what you need to take your next step. Always remember that God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

We’ve got to stop saying:

• “If I just had more experience…”
• “If I just had more money…”
• “If I were more spiritual…”

You have what you need today to do what God’s calling you to do next. You are equipped!

Time to Talk to Yourself

Dr. James Gill—the only person to complete 6 Ironman Triathlons after age 50—was once asked, “How do you keep going when you want to give up?”

His answer?

“I’ve learned to talk to myself instead of listen to myself.”

If you listen to yourself, you’ll hear doubt. You’ll hear insecurity. You’ll hear, “You’re not enough.” But if you talk to yourself—if you declare the truth of God’s Word—you’ll begin to walk in freedom.

So I dare you: for the next 7 days, talk to yourself.

Declare these truths:

• I am Accepted
• I am Redeemed
• I am Equipped

Every single day.

Your Challenge

95% of your emotions are shaped by how you talk to yourself. Want to change your life? Change your words.

Let this be your identity: “I am out of the box. I am accepted, redeemed, and equipped by Christ.”

Now go live like it and remind yourself for the next 7 days, all throughout the day.