The Christian’s True Identity: What It Means to Be in Christ

by Jonathan Landry Cruse

Publisher:

Reformation Heritage

, 2019

Overview

With its identity politics, numerous gender identity options, “selfies,” and “you-do-you” mentality, society emphasizes individualism, but it seems like people are having a harder time than ever figuring out who they are. The problem is, they are looking for their identity in the wrong places. Are you seeking your identity in relationships, a career, family, race, gender expression, or other circumstances—and feeling dissatisfied? Then this book is for you. Author Jonathan Landry Cruse offers a fresh, sometimes witty, truly radical, freeing answer to the important question of who you are and helps you understand what the Bible has to say about everything you need for a lasting, fulfilling identity that is found outside of you and in Christ.

Key Features

• Examines the union and communion with Christ
• Offers a fresh answer to the important question of who you are
• Explores the need for a lasting, fulfilling identity that is found outside of you and in Christ

Contents

• Union with Him
• Chosen in Him
• Pardoned in Him
• Righteous in Him
• Adopted in Him
• One in Him
• New in Him
• Secure in Him
• Alive in Him
• Communion with Him

Top Highlights

“According to one trusted scholar, there are no fewer than 160 mentions of believers being in Christ.^{7” (Page 8)}

“The false ‘health, wealth, prosperity gospel’ of the past several decades is giving way to what we might call a false ‘identity gospel.’ This false gospel teaches that God simply wants you to be content with who you are—in your social circles, in your sexuality, in your gender expression, in whatever. As long as you are being ‘true to yourself,’ you are being true to God. As long as you are ‘following your heart,’ you are following God. Scripture gets twisted or tossed out to ensure that people feel no pressure to conform to any kind of moral norm—they are free to set their own course. So this false gospel preaches that man’s chief end is to glorify himself and enjoy himself forever.” (Page 4)

“As Timothy Keller explains, ‘To have an identity is to have something sustained that is true of you in every setting. Otherwise there would be no ‘you.” (Page 6)

“In The Weariness of Self, Dr. Alain Ehrenberg explains why depression has become the most diagnosed mental disorder in the world: because of increased feelings of inadequacy. That is, there is an unrealistic expectation of the individual to be successful and satisfied, and anytime that is unmet (which is always), people are prone to spiral into despair.⁵ To state it simply: we put too much pressure on temporary things to give us lasting, eternal satisfaction.” (Page 6)

“By faith, the Holy Spirit brings us into a union with Jesus that is personal, real, vital (life-giving), and unbreakable—a union that can span even the distance between heaven and earth.” (Page 11)

Praise for the Print Edition

Jonathan Cruse offers a rich and accessible account of the believer’s union with Christ, a vital biblical teaching. Forged on the anvil of Scripture and the day-to-day challenges of the Christian life, Pastor Cruse points readers to life-giving truth in very practical and real ways. This book will assist people in the pews gain a greater knowledge of how God has united them to Christ, from election to their glorification.

—J. V. Fesko, Author, Who is Jesus? and Word, Water, and Spirit: A Reformed Perspective on Baptism

With winsome warmth and refreshing clarity Pastor Jonathan Cruse shows us how infinitely better it is to have God define our identity—in Christ—rather than trying to invent and reinvent ourselves! Instead of pandering to our self-esteem, this little book speaks straight, sobering truth about our guilt and brokenness. But it also directs our hearts to an astonishing reality: God removes our shame and robes us in Jesus’ beauty, embracing us in grace. God’s answer to our question, ‘Who am I?’ gives rest to our restless hearts and replaces aimless ennui with life-energizing purpose.”

—Dennis E. Johnson, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology, Westminster Seminary California

Dear believer—in what or in whom do you find your true identity? This is a question that every Christian should be able to answer with relative ease. And yet, in our age of superficial evangelicalism, it seems that few believers are equipped to do so. In The Christian’s True Identity, Jonathan Landry Cruse beautifully and skillfully unpacks the riches of the Gospel, powerfully demonstrating how union with Christ—and the benefits that flow from that union—define and shape the believer’s true identity. Spiritually united to Christ, and fully accepted in the beloved, we no longer let the world define us or press us into its idolatrous mold. Now that’s good news that fosters both freedom and piety! Read and digest this book. You will never be the same.”

—Jon D. Payne, Senior Pastor, Christ Church Presbyterian, Charleston, SC; Executive Coordinator, Gospel Reformation Network

Product Details

• Title: The Christian’s True Identity: What It Means to Be in Christ
• Author: Jonathan Landry Cruse
• Publisher: Reformation Heritage
• Print Publication Date: 2019
• Logos Release Date: 2020
• Pages: 155
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Mystical union
• ISBNs: 9781601787255, 9781601787262, 1601787251, 160178726X
• Resource ID: LLS:CHRSTNSTRUEID
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-12-20T00:34:54Z

About Jonathan Landry Cruse

Jonathan Cruse is a native of Central Pennsylvania, where he grew up in a home that loved sports, movies, and Reformed theology. He attended Temple University in Philadelphia where he studied film for a time before graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies and English. Shortly after graduation, he married his lovely wife, Kerri Ann, and the two immediately headed for San Diego for Jonathan to earn his Masters of Divinity from Westminster Seminary California. They are enjoying life in Michigan with their children Jacob, Evangeline, and Caleb. Jonathan has been pastor of Community since June of 2017.

Cruse is an avid writer, and has published numerous articles, chapters, hymns, and books. He has written for The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Core Christianity, Modern Reformation, The Gospel Coalition, and TableTalk magazine. He is author of the new worship collection Hymns of Devotion, and the books Church Membership, Sing in Exultation!, Glorifying and Enjoying God, The Christian’s True Identity: What It Means to Be in Christ, What Happens When We Worship, and The Character of Christ.

Sample Pages from The Christian’s True Identity: What It Means to Be in Christ