The Christian's True Identity: What It Means to Be in Christ (Cruse)

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.  

Read Sample Pages

Table of Contents:

1. Union with Him

2. Chosen in Him

3. Pardoned in Him

4. Righteous in Him

5. Adopted in Him

6. One in Him

7. New in Him

8. Secure in Him

9. Alive in Him

10. Communion with Him

Author

Jonathan Landry Cruse is pastor of Community Presbyterian Church (OPC), Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Endorsements

“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

“Reading Jonathan Cruse’s volume on The Christian’s True Identity is like enjoying a finely-crafted meal; the various ingredients are so properly proportioned to one another that one hardly notices the numerous details because they are so harmoniously blended. There is not only a surprising amount of truth in this slender volume, there is an enormous amount of important, Christ-centered truth, an enormous amount of gospel, presented in a manner that is responsive to twenty-first century concerns without being swallowed by them. Readers will be saddened when they arrive at the end of this pithy volume.” - Dr. T. David Gordon, Professor of Religion and Greek, Grove City College, Grove City, PA

“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

“While many books have been written on the doctrine of the believer’s union with Christ, there is still a need for a text that can give a clear explanation of this comforting truth and its benefits to the average reader. That is, until now. With The Christian’s True Identity, Jonathan Cruse has filled this need, drawing from his experience as poet and preacher to communicate the beauty and magnitude of this doctrine in a clear, direct, and heartening manner.” - Simonetta Carr, Author, Broken Pieces and the God Who Mends Them and Christian Biographies for Young Readers series

“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