Bible verses about "identity" | AUV

²³ Then He said to everyone, “If anyone wants to be my follower, he should deny self [i.e., of always having its own way] and accept his cross [i.e., his responsibilities, with all their difficulties] everyday, and [then he can] become my follower. ²⁴ For whoever would [try to] save his life [i.e., by neglecting spiritual things] will lose it [i.e., miss out on the blessings of God]. But whoever [willingly] loses his life [i.e., in commitment to God’s service] for my sake, that person will save it [i.e., obtain both temporal and spiritual blessings]. ²⁵ For what is a person benefited if he gains the whole world [i.e., of material things] and [yet] loses [his spiritual life] or gives himself up [to spiritual ruin]? ²⁶ For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of man will [also] be ashamed of him when He returns in His own splendor and that of the Father and of the holy angels. ²⁷ But I tell you the truth, there are some people standing here who will surely not experience death until they see that God’s kingdom has come [i.e., in a demonstration of power. See Mark 9:1].”

¹⁵ I do not call you slaves anymore, for a slave does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have told you everything that I heard from my Father.

⁵ “I am the vine; you people are the branches. The person who remains united to me, and I to him, will bear much fruit. For you cannot do anything if [you are] separated from me.

¹ If then you people have been raised up together with Christ [i.e., from your burial in immersion, See 2:12-13 with Rom. 6:4], pay attention to the things that are above [i.e., heavenly things], where Christ is seated at the right side of God. ² Focus your minds on the things that are above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died [with Christ, See 2:20], and your life is [now] hidden with Christ in [fellowship with] God. ⁴ [So], when Christ, who is your [or, “our” source of] life, appears [i.e., at His second coming], then you people also will appear with Him in splendor [i.e., in heaven].

²⁷ For all of you who were immersed into [a relationship with] Christ have been clothed with Him [i.e., His life]. ²⁸ [In this relationship] there is to be no [distinction between] Jews or Greeks [i.e., Gentiles], slaves or free persons, men or women; for all of you are united into one [body] because of your relationship with Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you belong to Christ, then you are [truly] Abraham’s seed [i.e., his spiritual descendants] and thereby [you will] inherit what was promised to him [i.e., God’s blessings].

²² You were [taught] to put away [the conduct of] your former lifestyle, your old person who is being corrupted by deceitful desires, ²³ and to be renewed in your inner person. ²⁴ And you should put on the new person who has been [re-] created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

¹⁹ Or, do you not know that your [physical] body is a temple [i.e., sanctuary] for the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves, ²⁰ for you were bought [by God] for a price. So, honor God with your [physical] body.

²⁷ Now you people are the [spiritual] body of Christ and each one of you is an individual part of it.

¹⁰ For we [Christians] are the product of God’s workmanship, [re-] created in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus for [the purpose of] doing good deeds. God had previously determined that this should be our practice.

¹ Look at how much love the Father has shown to us [Christians], that we should be called His children! But, that is what we [really] are! The reason the people of the world do not know who we are is because they do not know who God [really] is. ² Dearly loved ones, we are God’s children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like! ³ And every person who has set his hope on this [i.e., of being like Jesus], will live [as] purely [as possible], just as He [i.e., Jesus Himself] is pure.

²⁰ I have been crucified [i.e., died] with Christ, and so I am not the one who lives [anymore] but rather, it is Christ who lives in my heart. And [now] my entire life is being lived by trusting in the Son of God [to save and keep me], because He loved me and gave Himself up for me.

⁹ But you people are especially chosen [by God]; you are a royal body of priests; you are a nation especially set apart for God’s use; you are a people who belong exclusively to God, that you may express the virtues of the One who called you out of darkness [i.e., of sin and error], and into His marvelous light [i.e., righteousness and truth].

¹⁷ Therefore, if any person is in [fellowship with] Christ, he is a new person. His old ways have passed away; now his ways have become new.