Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
If you’re just joining us on this journey, welcome. I’ve just completed a month-long series exploring our identity in the Messiah — who we are because of His finished work, His love, His calling, and His transformative grace. We discovered that identity is not something we earn; it is something we receive. It is not fragile; it is rooted. It is not changing; it is anchored in the eternal purposes of God. But now we turn a corner, because identity is never meant to be the destination. It is meant to be the foundation. Identity is not the finish line—it is the starting gate. And now that we know who we are in Messiah, we step into the next essential revelation: identity becomes calling.
Paul urges us in Romans 12:1–2 to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship. He calls us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so we may walk in the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Mercy comes first — God reveals who we are; surrender follows — we offer Him our whole lives; transformation unfolds — our minds are renewed; and calling emerges — we step into His will. Identity is the soil; calling is the fruit. You cannot live out your purpose until you’ve embraced your identity, and you cannot fully walk in your identity until you surrender to your calling.
Identity demands a response. When God reveals who you are, He is inviting you into something greater. If you are beloved, live loved. If you are chosen, walk set apart. If you are redeemed, stop living like a captive. If you are His workmanship, step into the works prepared for you. If you are a temple of the Spirit, honor the Presence you carry. If you are a new creation, walk as one whose old life has died. Identity is a holy summons — calling you away from the patterns of this world, into the renewing power of the Spirit, into a life of worship expressed not merely in song, but in surrender.
Your identity in Yeshua (Jesus) was never meant to sit unused like a forgotten gift. It was meant to shape how you think, how you speak, what you pursue, what you refuse, and how you live your life before God and before the world. In the Kingdom, identity is always connected to assignment. You are not just saved — you are sent. You are not just forgiven — you are formed. You are not just redeemed — you are recruited into God’s purposes. And now begins the journey of walking this out in practical, daily obedience, letting the truth of who you are ignite the life you are called to live.