Security: A Core Emotional Need

Who I Am In Christ Series, part 4

When I came to Christ during the Jesus People movement of the Seventies (what TIME magazine called “The Jesus Revolution”), I was loaded with insecurity.  I wasn’t sure who or what I was.  Having been subjected to years of rejection and emotional abuse, my psyche was traumatized.  I believed that I was broken and inferior to others.  I believed parts of me were missing, that I was incomplete and worthless.

I was believing the lies that had been spoken over me, and even though I was a born-again Christian, I remained in bondage for many years.  I was insecure in my salvation and terrified of losing it.  It took a long time for my mind to be renewed.  But little by little, the truth of God’s Word chipped away at those lies.  As Jesus reconstructed the foundation of my identity, my insecurities grew smaller and smaller.  I finally began living the transformed life.

I believe there are many Christians who live just as I did.  They are insecure and afraid to step out in faith, and they miss many of God’s blessings for their lives because they really don’t understand who they are in Christ.  They don’t realize that their salvation comes with a completely new identity.

That’s why I decided to start this series about the “Who I Am In Christ” list developed by Dr. Neil Anderson.  This list provided a framework for me to begin renewing my mind, combatting the lies I had believed with the truth of God’s Word.  I read this list daily and as I began to believe these truths the lies faded away.

Dr. Anderson divided the “Who I Am In Christ” list into three sections.  I wrote about the first section, “I Am Accepted,” in parts 1-3 of this series.   (You’ll find them listed below.)

The second section of the list is I Am Secure.  As with the first section, Dr. Anderson identified eleven foundational truths.

“Safety and security is another facet of our inheritance in Christ,” Dr. Anderson wrote in Victory Over the Darkness.  “We have the riches of His kingdom at our disposal and His promise to supply all our needs.”

What comes to mind when you think of the word “secure”?  For most of us, it’s the concept of being safe and protected.  Some may also associate it with having a good self-image and confident self esteem, having your identity built on a solid foundation.  Like acceptance, security is a core emotional need.  Every human needs to feel safe and secure.  If this essential need is left unmet, multiple problems can develop.

I Am Free From All Condemnation And Charges

Romans 8:1-2 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”  The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines condemnation as “censure, blame; the act of judicially condemning; the state of being condemned.”  To be condemned is to be blamed for or accused of wrongdoing.

We know from Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness that Satan is familiar with scripture.  Sometimes he will even use it to bring false condemnation to Christians.  For many years Romans 8:1 troubled me because I have what I call a “thorn in the flesh,”  something that I tried for years to suppress and get rid of.  Every time it acted up I would be consumed with shame and condemnation.  Satan would throw this verse at me and say, “See?  You must not really be a Christian or you wouldn’t be feeling like this.” 

I thought the shame and condemnation was coming from God, but it was an attack of the enemy.  The truth is that when a person accepts Christ as their Savior, they are free forever from condemnation.  God does not condemn His children.  He may not always be pleased with our behavior, but He will never condemn or reject us.  I am free forever from condemnation.

Another foundational truth is found further in the chapter.  Not only am I free forever from condemnation, I am also free from any charge against me.  Romans 8:33-34 states,  “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?  It is God who justifies.  Who then is the one who condemns?  No one.  Christ Jesus who died– more than that, who was raised to life– is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”  Satan is the accuser of the brethren– but his accusations cannot withstand the intercession of Jesus!

As Christians, we never need to fear the wrath and condemnation of God.  He is our heavenly Father, and He welcomes us as the prodigal son’s father did.  It is so freeing to know that He already accepts me and that I am forever His child!  My childhood was marred by rejection, but I do not need to fear that from my heavenly Father.   I am free from any charge against me.

All Things Work Together For Good

The next foundational truth that makes me secure is I am assured that all works together for good.  We find this in Romans 8:28, which I’ve chosen as my life verse:  “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.”

There are several things to note about this verse.  First, it does not say that all things are good.  Certainly the things that happened to me in my childhood were not good things.  But God says He will bring good out of all things.  You may have heard this expressed as “God will bring gain out of your pain,” or “God will turn your mess into your message.”  Those statements are absolutely true for the believer!  I have a lot of empathy for those who are hurting, and I think that comes from the hurts I went through.  I understand what it’s like to struggle as a Christian, and that’s one of the reasons I started this blog.

A second thing to notice is that this verse is not a word for everyone.  It is addressed to “those who love him.”  This verse is only true for Christians.  Only those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior are children of God.  His promises are for His children, not for everyone.

It’s also exciting to see that those who are His “have been called according to his purpose.”  You may think you chose Jesus, but it’s more accurate to say He chose you!  As one of those kids who was always the last to be chosen for the team, it is absolutely incredible to know that God chose me!  And as if that weren’t enough, God has a plan for my life.  My life has purpose, and yours does, too!

I Am Established, Anointed, And Sealed By God

The fourth foundational truth in this section comes from 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.  He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”   In other words, I am established, anointed, and sealed by God.

Let’s break that down a little. 

The apostle Paul says we “stand firm in Christ.”  But what does that mean?  A devotional from Knowing Jesus Ministries explains, “To stand firm means to be steady and sure…Our feet are planted on a foundation that can hold us.”  In a world full of uncertainties, we can be certain of where we stand.  As the old hymn declares, “On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”  A true Christian builds their life on the Word of God.

When you know who you are in Christ, your identity is secure.  There is no confusion.  Your foundation is solid and steady, and you can stand firm even when the storms of life come.

God also anoints us.  To be anointed is “to be consecrated or made holy,, set apart or dedicated to God.”    In the Bible this would often occur in a ceremony marked by oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirit.  When you accept Jesus as your Savior, your life is set apart or dedicated to God.  You can then fulfill the plans He has for you.  You can live– and enjoy– a life of service to Him.

Lastly, the verse says that God “set his seal of ownership on us.”  We are not our own; we have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Christ.  As a Christian, you belong to God.  In biblical times they would use a seal of wax, embedded with a personal imprint, to show ownership and guarantee security.  An example of this is the seal used by the Roman authorities to secure the tomb of Jesus.  God has put His seal on you, signifying that you are His for all eternity.  Nothing can ever separate you from God and His love.

Imagine– God is embracing you in a big hug right now!

I Am Hidden With Christ In God

That brings us to the fifth foundational truth in this section.  It comes from Colossians 3:3,  “For you are dead, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” 

Admittedly this is a tough one to get your mind around.  We know it doesn’t refer to physical death, because obviously you’re still alive and breathing (you wouldn’t be reading this if you weren’t!)  So it has to refer to a spiritual death.  You are “dead to sin and alive in Christ.” 

It’s sometimes difficult to believe that because we are still susceptible to temptation.  Sometimes we still lose the battle with sin.  But we are no longer ruled by sin, and that’s an important distinction.  Sin’s hold on you is not as strong as it once was, and its grip will get weaker the more we mature spiritually.  When you know who you are in Christ, your life is centered around Him.  And when you do fall, you have a quick path to forgiveness, because you no longer serve sin, you serve Christ.  Sin may continue to be a nuisance, but it’s no longer your master.  You are hidden with Christ in God.

So there you have it, five foundational truths that show how wonderfully God meets that core emotional need for security.  But as the old song goes, “We’ve only just begun…”  I Am Secure continues with six more truths from God’s Word.  I hope you’ll look forward to the next article!

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Related Posts:

“The Issue of Identity”

“Acceptance: A Core Emotional Need”

“You Are Accepted!”