Becoming Who We Are: Embracing Our Identity in Christ

May 25, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Our Identity as Children of God

At its core, your truest and most essential identity is not found in your background, your job, your sexuality, your health, or your experiences—your identity is that you are a child of God. Everything else in your life flows from this foundational truth. When you anchor yourself in being a son or daughter of the Most High, you find a strength and rootedness that cannot be shaken by the shifting circumstances or labels of this world. Even if your earthly experience of family or fatherhood is wounded or complicated, God is the perfect Father who calls you His own, loves you deeply, and desires for you to walk in the fullness of that relationship. Let this truth shape how you see yourself and how you live each day. [54:24]

1 John 3:1 (ESV)
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to let something other than being a child of God define you? How can you intentionally remind yourself of your true identity today?

Day 2: Sin’s Wage Has Always Been Death

From the very beginning, God made it clear that sin carries a cost—death. This is not just physical death, but a spiritual separation from the life and wholeness God intended for His children. The story of Adam and Eve reminds us that God’s boundaries are rooted in love, not restriction, and that the consequences of stepping outside His design are real and serious. Yet, even as humanity chose poorly, God’s heart has always been to restore relationship with His children, not to leave us in our brokenness. Recognize today that sin is not just a mistake—it is a barrier to the life God wants for you, but it is a barrier He longs to overcome. [01:02:28]

Romans 5:12 (ESV)
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Reflection: Is there a pattern or habit in your life that you know is leading you away from God’s best? What step can you take today to invite God’s help in breaking free from it?

Day 3: Grace Triumphs Over Sin

God’s grace is not just a balancing act to cancel out your sin—it is an overwhelming, abundant gift that far surpasses the damage sin has done. Through Jesus, you are not merely restored to a neutral state; you are given a new standing, a new home, and a new life. Grace doesn’t just erase your past; it empowers you to live in victory and freedom today. No matter how great your sin, God’s grace is even greater, and it is available to you right now. Let your heart receive the truth that grace always trumps sin, and that you are invited to live from that place of abundance. [01:07:23]

Romans 5:15-17 (ESV)
But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Reflection: Where do you still feel weighed down by guilt or shame? How can you open your heart to receive God’s “even greater” grace in that area today?

Day 4: We Choose Which King and Kingdom

Every day, you are faced with a choice: will you let sin rule, or will you let grace rule? Will you anchor your life in the old way of Adam, or in the new way of Jesus? God’s grace positions you as a citizen of His kingdom, free and whole, but you must choose to live under the reign of Jesus as King. This is not a one-time decision, but a daily posture of surrender and allegiance. As you say yes to Jesus, you step into the fullness of life, freedom, and purpose that He offers. Grace rules because of Jesus—let that be the reality you walk in today. [01:15:28]

Romans 5:19-21 (ESV)
For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reflection: What does it look like for you to choose Jesus as King in a specific area of your life today? What practical step can you take to let grace rule instead of sin?

Day 5: Transformation and Wholeness by the Holy Spirit

God’s desire is not just to forgive you, but to transform you from the inside out—bit by bit, making you whole, healed, and free by the power of the Holy Spirit. This transformation is a process, not a quick fix, and it requires your willingness to invite the Spirit’s work into your heart, your habits, and your relationships. As you pray “Come, Holy Spirit,” you open yourself to the ongoing journey of becoming more like Jesus, experiencing supernatural presence, power, and fellowship with God right here and now. Say yes to the process, and trust that God is making you new. [01:17:01]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Reflection: Where do you sense the Holy Spirit inviting you into deeper healing or transformation? How can you make space today to pray “Come, Holy Spirit” and respond to His leading?

Sermon Summary

Every Sunday is a gift, a rhythm that roots us in the reality of God’s love and the journey of becoming who He’s always seen us to be. At the heart of our community are four pillars: belonging to family, hoping in Jesus, growing in our journey, and, most importantly for today, becoming—being transformed into the image of Jesus, bit by bit, by the Spirit’s work. The question that echoes through our lives is: Who are you becoming? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to shape you daily, to call you into the fullness of your identity as a child of God?

Our identity is not defined by geography, vocation, sexuality, life experience, or even our health. All of these matter, but they are not who we are. At the core, we are children of God—sons and daughters deeply loved by a perfect Father. This truth is not just theological; it’s deeply personal and transformative. The story of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, is a love story about a Father who will stop at nothing to restore relationship with His kids. Even when humanity chose sin, and death entered the world through Adam, God’s grace through Jesus was “even greater.” Grace doesn’t just erase sin; it triumphs over it, offering us not just forgiveness but a new, stronger, more splendid life.

We are invited to live from a place of wholeness, healing, and freedom by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is not a one-time event but a daily journey—saying yes to the process, allowing God to till the soil of our hearts, to bring life where there’s been brokenness. The essential truth is that we get to choose: which king, which kingdom? Will we let sin rule, or will we let grace rule through Jesus? The invitation is to choose Jesus, to let His grace define us, and to walk boldly as citizens of His kingdom.

This journey is sustained by radical generosity, by serving, by community, and by the simple, ancient prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit.” Whether you’re a parent, a friend, or someone wrestling with woundedness, the Spirit is present to bring wholeness and remind you of your true identity. Today, and every day, we are called to live as children of God, letting everything else flow from that place of belovedness and freedom.

Key Takeaways

1. Identity Rooted in Sonship, Not Circumstance Our truest identity is not found in our background, achievements, failures, or even our wounds. All those things may shape our story, but they do not define us. The essential, unshakeable truth is that we are children of God—loved, chosen, and called. Everything else in life flows from this foundational reality, and only from this place can we experience true wholeness and freedom. [53:08]
2. The Father’s Love Is Relentless and Restorative God’s love is not limited by our brokenness or rebellion. Like a healthy father who will go to any length to restore a lost child, God’s heart aches for reconciliation and wholeness for each of us. Even when we feel unworthy or distant, His love pursues, heals, and redefines us, inviting us back into relationship and purpose. [50:54]
3. Grace Doesn’t Just Cancel Sin—It Overwhelms It The work of Jesus is not merely a reset to the status quo before sin; it is a lavish, overwhelming gift that far surpasses what was lost. Grace doesn’t just balance the scales; it tips them infinitely in our favor, offering us a new life, a new heart, and a new standing before God. This is the “even greater” reality of the gospel: grace rules, and it always triumphs over sin. [45:49]
4. Transformation Is an Ongoing, Spirit-Led Process Becoming like Jesus is not about behavior modification or intellectual ascent. It is a deep, inner work of the Holy Spirit, transforming our hearts and gradually shaping us into the image of Christ. This process requires our daily “yes,” our willingness to let God address our wounds, and our openness to the Spirit’s renewing power. [60:12]
5. We Choose Daily Which King and Kingdom We Serve Every day, we are faced with a choice: will we let sin and its consequences rule, or will we let grace and the reign of Jesus define our lives? This is not a one-time decision but a continual act of surrender and allegiance. Choosing Jesus as King means embracing His kingdom values, living from our identity as God’s children, and allowing His grace to shape every aspect of our lives. [74:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[32:08] - Who Are You Becoming?
[34:04] - Serving and Belonging in Community
[36:31] - Radical Generosity and Vision
[37:22] - The Call to Generosity
[42:40] - Discipleship Essentials: Romans 5
[43:55] - Adam, Sin, and the Human Condition
[45:49] - The Triumph of Grace
[48:40] - The Pain of Brokenness and the Father’s Heart
[51:50] - Identity: Not What You Do, But Whose You Are
[54:24] - Created in God’s Image: The Love Story
[59:44] - Wholeness, Healing, and the Spirit’s Work
[66:04] - Grace Trumps Sin
[74:04] - Choosing Your King and Kingdom
[77:01] - Come Holy Spirit: Living in Freedom
[83:26] - Responding to the Father’s Love
[86:16] - Prayer, Response, and Sending

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Becoming—Living as Children of God

Bible Reading

- Romans 5:12-21
(Main text: The contrast between Adam and Christ, the entrance of sin, and the triumph of grace.)

- Genesis 1:26-28
(Creation of humanity in God’s image.)

- Matthew 7:9-11
(Jesus’ teaching about the goodness of the Father.)

Observation Questions

In Romans 5:12-21, what are the main differences Paul describes between what Adam brought into the world and what Jesus brings?
According to Genesis 1:26-28, what does it mean that humans are made in the image of God?
In Matthew 7:9-11, how does Jesus describe the heart of God as a Father?
The sermon says, “Our identity is not one of geography, vocation, sexuality, life experience, or even our health. All of these matter, but they are not who we are.” What examples did the pastor give to show what does and does not define our identity? [[52:14]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize that grace is “even greater” than sin in Romans 5? What does this mean for someone who feels stuck in guilt or shame? [[45:49]]
The sermon describes God’s love as “relentless and restorative.” How does this picture of God as a Father challenge or encourage your understanding of God? [[50:54]]
The pastor said, “Transformation is an ongoing, Spirit-led process.” What does it look like for the Holy Spirit to “till the soil of our hearts” and bring life where there’s been brokenness? [[59:44]]
The sermon asks, “Who are you becoming?” How does the daily choice of which “king and kingdom” you serve shape your journey of faith? [[01:14:04]]

Application Questions

The sermon says our truest identity is being a child of God, not our background, achievements, or wounds. What is one area of your life where you’ve been tempted to let something else define you? How can you remind yourself this week that you are first and foremost God’s child? [[53:08]]
The pastor shared about the pain of parents watching a child make destructive choices, and compared it to God’s heart for us. If you’ve ever felt far from God or unworthy, how does knowing the Father’s relentless love change the way you see yourself? [[50:54]]
Grace doesn’t just cancel sin—it overwhelms it. Is there a place in your life where you need to let God’s grace “tip the scales” and bring freedom or healing? What would it look like to receive that grace this week? [[45:49]]
The sermon talked about saying “yes” to the process of transformation, even when it’s slow or hard. What is one practical way you can invite the Holy Spirit to work in an area of brokenness or woundedness in your life? (For example, praying “Come, Holy Spirit” over a specific situation.) [[01:00:12]]
Every day, we choose which king and kingdom we serve. What are some daily habits or decisions that help you choose Jesus and His kingdom? Is there a specific area where you need to surrender control or realign your priorities? [[01:14:04]]
The pastor encouraged simple prayers like “Come, Holy Spirit” in everyday moments (with family, before a date, in the morning). Where could you start using this prayer in your daily routine? [[01:17:01]]
The sermon says that living as children of God leads to wholeness, healing, and freedom. What is one step you can take this week to live more boldly and freely from your identity as God’s beloved child? [[01:26:16]]

Close in prayer:
Invite the Holy Spirit to remind each person of their true identity and to bring wholeness, healing, and freedom as you walk out your week as children of God.

Sermon Clips

22s

“It is essential for us as Christians to know our worth, to know our identity. Your identity is not one of geography. You are not an Edmontonian. You are not Danish. You are not Irish. You are not American. That is not your identity. That is not who you are.”

32s

“At its simplest and at its best, when someone says to you, hey, who are you? Your default, healthy, essential, anchored to Jesus response is this. I am a child of God. Period. That's who I am. Everything else flows out of that strength. Everything else flows out of that conviction. Everything else flows out of that being anchored and rooted. I'm a kid, and I know who my dad is.”

24s

“The story of the Bible, the story of Scripture, right from the beginning, from the book of Genesis, all the way to Revelation, is ultimately a love story. And it's a love story about a father and his kids. And there isn't anything God the Father wouldn't do to restore relationship with his sons and daughters.”

26s

“Say yes to the process. Say yes to the work. That's the workload for us as kids. That's the consistent heart work that's required. That's the sum of our discipleship journey to Jesus. Come Holy Spirit, help me see what's broken. Not because you want to fix me, but because you want to do some agricultural work and bring something back to life.”

27s

“Because we're children of God, because that's who we are, it's essential that we know and understand that sin's wage has always been death. This is an essential truth. Sin has always levied a cost, from the garden to today, the wage of sin. If you say yes to full -time life being employed by sin, the wage is death.”

22s

“Because I'm anchored, because I know who I am because of Jesus, my identity as a son, I see the entire Old Covenant or the Old Testament, the first half of our Christian Bible, I see it as a loving father doing everything within his power to restore relationship with his kids. That is how I read it.”

19s

“Grace hasn't just forgiven you from sin. It's so much more. Supernatural presence. Supernatural power. Supernatural fellowship with God, right here and now, because of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ whom you have received.”

22s

“There is a throne. There is a king. There is a kingdom. And it is essential that your identity as a child of God has you say yes to choosing Jesus as king and His kingdom as yours. Sin ruled over humanity, but grace rules because of Jesus.”

15s

“It's essential. I can sum up today that we know and understand. Walking our identity as children of God from a transformed place of wholeness, healing, life, freedom, by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

58s

“There's a redemptive...of work for some of us in the room today to redeem Father so that you know that you know that you know the essential truth that who you are is a child of God because everything flows out of that place. Your wholeness, your life, your understanding of grace, your freedom. Come Holy Spirit. Veni Sancti Spiritus. The fullness of Christ expressed in the Holy Spirit at work in us and around us and through us. Would you bring wholeness and freedom today? Would you bring forgiveness and life today that we might leave this place boldly and confidently in understanding that we are children of God?”

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