Identity and Calling: Living Set Apart for Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Identity Through Complete Surrender to Christ

True identity in Christ is found in recognizing that every part of life—ambitions, relationships, and daily decisions—belongs to Him. Paul’s self-identification as a “slave of Christ Jesus” challenges the common tendency to compartmentalize faith, treating it as one aspect among many rather than the foundation of all. This total surrender is not a loss but a profound honor and humility, freeing believers from the illusion of self-ownership and inviting them into joyful obedience that flows from belonging wholly to Christ. When you accept this, your identity is no longer shaped by shifting circumstances or personal achievements but anchored in the unchanging lordship of Jesus. [08:39]

“Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific ambition or relationship in your life that you have not fully surrendered to Christ’s lordship? How can you begin to offer this area to Him in practical, daily ways starting today?

Day 2: The Inseparable Authority of Scripture and Christ

Paul’s apostleship was not a human invention but a direct commission from the risen Jesus, which means that his writings carry divine authority. Accepting Paul’s words is accepting the words of Christ Himself. This challenges believers to resist the temptation to selectively accept Scripture or pit Jesus against Paul’s teachings. The Bible, inspired by God, is unified and authoritative for all aspects of life. Recognizing this authority calls for a posture of reverence and submission to the whole counsel of God, trusting that His Word is sufficient and true for guiding faith and practice. [11:37]

“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:1-2 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways might you be tempted to question or selectively accept parts of Scripture? How can you cultivate a deeper trust in the full authority of God’s Word in your daily decisions?

Day 3: Radical Reorientation: Living Set Apart for the Gospel

To be “set apart for the gospel” is not simply to add Jesus to an already full life but to allow the gospel to fundamentally redirect every ambition and attachment. Paul’s life was not merely improved by the gospel; it was transformed and reoriented around God’s purposes. This calls believers to examine whether their faith is a compartment or the core of their identity. Being set apart means letting go of lesser pursuits that compete with God’s glory and embracing a life wholly dedicated to His service. This radical reorientation challenges comfort zones and invites a daily surrender that shapes all actions and decisions. [17:32]

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)

Reflection: Identify one attachment or ambition that competes with your commitment to the gospel. What practical step can you take this week to realign your priorities and live more fully set apart for God’s purposes?

Day 4: Unity Rooted in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ

The gospel’s power and the unity of believers are found in Jesus Christ, who fulfills Old Testament promises as both the Son of David and the Son of God, declared by His resurrection. This unity transcends cultural, ethnic, and traditional divides, centering believers on their shared faith in the risen Lord. It is not based on preferences or external factors but on the profound reality of Christ’s person and work. This calls the church to embrace diversity within unity, focusing on what unites rather than what divides, and to live out a community shaped by the gospel’s transformative power. [26:17]

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12 ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a relationship within your church or community where differences have caused division. How can you intentionally focus on your shared identity in Christ to foster unity and reconciliation?

Day 5: The Obedience of Faith: Trust That Transforms

Faith is not passive assent but an active trust that produces real transformation. The “obedience of faith” is both the beginning and the fruit of salvation, where trusting Christ leads to a life marked by obedience flowing naturally from that trust. The ultimate purpose of this obedience is not personal comfort but the glory of God’s name among all nations. This gives urgency and meaning to the believer’s calling, inviting a daily commitment to live out faith in tangible acts of obedience that reflect God’s glory to the world. [37:39]

“By this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:3-4 ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area where your faith has not yet resulted in obedience? How can you take a concrete step today to demonstrate your trust in Christ through obedience, glorifying God in the process?

Sermon Summary

The opening verses of Romans reveal profound truths about identity, calling, and unity in Christ. Paul introduces himself not with titles of prestige, but as a servant—literally, a slave—of Christ Jesus. This is not a position of shame, but of honor and humility, echoing the Old Testament’s highest commendations for those wholly devoted to God. Paul’s life is not his own; he is entirely subject to Christ, and this total surrender is the foundation of his identity. He is also called as an apostle, not by human appointment, but by the direct commission of the risen Jesus. This means that what Paul writes is not mere opinion, but the very word of God, carrying divine authority and relevance for all believers.

Paul’s third self-description is that he is “set apart for the gospel of God.” This echoes the Old Testament idea of sanctification—being wholly dedicated to God’s service. For Paul, the gospel is not an add-on to an already full life; it is the defining reality that shapes every thought, action, and ambition. This challenges us to consider whether our own lives are truly set apart for God, or if we are simply trying to fit Jesus into our existing priorities.

The gospel Paul proclaims is not a new invention, but the fulfillment of God’s promises through the prophets. It centers on Jesus Christ, who is both the promised descendant of David and the Son of God, powerfully declared as such by his resurrection. This dual identity—fully human and fully divine—grounds the gospel’s power and hope. Paul’s greeting to the Roman church, a diverse body of Jewish and Gentile believers, emphasizes that their unity is not based on shared preferences or traditions, but on their common bond in Christ.

Paul then turns to the calling of all believers. Just as he received grace and apostleship to bring about “the obedience of faith” among all nations, so too are all who belong to Jesus called to be saints—set apart for God’s glory. The obedience of faith is both the act of trusting Christ and the transformed life that flows from that trust. The ultimate purpose of the gospel is not merely our salvation, but the glory of God’s name among all peoples. This calls us to examine our own calling: Are we living as those loved by God and set apart for his purposes, or are we entangled in lesser pursuits? The only fitting response is obedience to God’s call, for he alone is worthy.

Key Takeaways

1. True identity in Christ is rooted in total surrender. Paul’s self-description as a “slave of Christ Jesus” confronts our tendency to compartmentalize faith. To belong to Christ is to recognize that every aspect of life—our ambitions, relationships, and daily choices—are under his lordship. This is both a position of honor and deep humility, freeing us from the illusion of self-ownership and calling us to joyful obedience. [08:39]
2. The authority of Scripture is inseparable from the authority of Christ. Paul’s apostleship was not a human invention, but a direct commission from the risen Jesus. To accept the words of Paul is to accept the words of Christ himself. We cannot pit Jesus against Paul or selectively accept parts of Scripture; all of it is God-breathed and authoritative for our lives. [11:37]
3. Being “set apart for the gospel” means radical reorientation, not mere addition. Paul’s life was not simply improved by the gospel; it was fundamentally redirected. The call to be set apart is a call to let go of attachments and ambitions that do not serve God’s purposes. This challenges us to examine whether our faith is a compartment or the core of our identity, shaping everything we do for the glory of God. [17:32]
4. The gospel’s power and unity are found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is both the fulfillment of Old Testament promises and the Son of God, declared in power by his resurrection. Our unity as believers is not based on cultural preferences or traditions, but on our shared faith in the risen Lord. This unity transcends all divisions and calls us to center our lives on Christ alone. [26:17]
5. The obedience of faith is both the beginning and the fruit of salvation. Faith is not a passive assent, but an active trust that leads to real transformation. The gospel calls us to a life where obedience flows from faith, and faith is demonstrated by obedience. The ultimate aim is not our comfort, but the glory of God’s name among all nations—a purpose that gives meaning and urgency to our calling. [37:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - The Enduring Impact of Romans
[01:50] - What Holds the Church Together?
[02:48] - Paul’s Threefold Identity
[05:10] - The Meaning of “Servant” (Doulos)
[08:39] - Honor and Humility in Service
[10:17] - Paul’s Apostolic Authority
[11:37] - The Word of God Through Paul
[16:00] - Set Apart for the Gospel
[17:32] - What It Means to Be Set Apart
[19:43] - The Gospel of God Explained
[21:12] - Identity Rooted in the Gospel
[24:40] - Jesus: Son of David and Son of God
[26:17] - Unity in Christ Across Divides
[31:43] - Grace, Apostleship, and Calling
[35:35] - The Obedience of Faith
[39:11] - The Global Purpose of the Gospel
[41:55] - Saints: Called and Loved by God
[45:16] - Responding to God’s Call and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 1:1-7 — Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, to all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation Questions

How does Paul introduce himself in the opening verse of Romans, and what three aspects of his identity does he highlight? ([02:48])
According to these verses, what is the gospel “concerning” and how does Paul describe Jesus? ([24:40])
What does Paul say is the purpose of his apostleship in verse 5? ([31:43])
How does Paul describe the recipients of his letter in Rome? What titles or descriptions does he use for them? ([41:55])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul chooses to call himself a “servant” or “slave” of Christ Jesus instead of using a more prestigious title? What does this reveal about his view of identity? ([05:10])
Paul says he is “set apart for the gospel of God.” What does it mean to be set apart, and how is this different from simply adding Jesus to an already full life? ([16:00])
The sermon mentions that the “obedience of faith” is both the beginning and the fruit of salvation. How can faith and obedience be connected in the life of a believer? ([37:39])
Paul emphasizes unity in the church at Rome, which was made up of both Jewish and Gentile believers. According to the sermon, what is the true basis for unity among Christians? ([26:17])

Application Questions

Paul describes himself as a “slave of Christ Jesus,” meaning his whole life belongs to Jesus. Are there areas of your life where you still act as if you are your own master? What would it look like to surrender those areas to Christ? ([08:39])
The sermon challenges us to consider if we are “set apart for the gospel” or just fitting Jesus into our existing priorities. Is there something in your life that competes with your devotion to Christ? What practical step could you take this week to put Jesus at the center? ([17:32])
Paul’s authority as an apostle comes directly from Jesus, and the sermon says we can’t pick and choose which parts of Scripture to accept. Are there teachings in the Bible you find hard to accept or obey? How do you wrestle with those? ([11:37])
The “obedience of faith” means that real faith leads to real change. Can you think of a specific way your faith in Jesus has changed your actions or attitudes recently? If not, what is one area where you want to see more transformation? ([37:39])
Paul says the ultimate purpose of the gospel is the glory of God’s name among all peoples. How does this bigger purpose affect the way you think about your own calling and daily life? ([39:11])
The unity of the church is based on a shared faith in Jesus, not on preferences or traditions. Have you ever experienced division in the church over non-essential issues? How can you help promote unity centered on Christ? ([26:17])
Paul calls the believers in Rome “loved by God and called to be saints.” Do you see yourself as someone who is loved and set apart for God’s purposes? Why or why not? ([41:55])

Sermon Clips

The cry of the Reformation, one of the main cries of the Reformation was sola fide. It's a simple Latin phrase that means by faith alone, right? And it goes something like this. Essentially, we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Right? That's the simple version of it. What they mean by that is you're not saved by your works. You're not saved by good deeds that you can do. You're not saved by various acts of penance. You're not saved by proving that you feel bad enough for your sin. You are saved by faith in Jesus Christ's finished work at the cross alone. Period. End of story. [00:35:35] (39 seconds) Edit Clip

That's the simplicity of the gospel message. I mean, we can say much more, but at its core, that's it. You're a sinner separated from God. Jesus Christ has come so that you could be forgiven. He took your sin upon himself, and you must have faith in him so that you can be forgiven and given eternal life. [00:20:37] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

Because what happens to a person when they have saving faith in Jesus Christ? The scriptures tell us this pretty plainly. You begin, for the very first time in your life, not perfectly, but you begin to obey Christ. He changes your life. If you have genuine saving faith in Christ, your life is going to change in some pretty drastic ways. Not all at once, not immediately. I'm not telling you that if you continue to fight with sin, you're an unbeliever because guess what? Every believer continues to fight with sin. [00:36:57] (32 seconds) Edit Clip

Notice the scope of this. We've received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations. What? You mean the good news about Jesus wasn't just for the Jewish people? Not just for the Jewish Christians in Rome? No, it's for the... sake of all nations to hear the gospel of Jesus and respond to him. And that's not simply for their own benefit. Do you know that your salvation is a side purpose to the main purpose of the gospel of Jesus? The main purpose of the gospel of Jesus Christ is so that God would be glorified. You don't believe me? Read it again. We have grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith. Why? For the sake of his name among all the nations so that God might be praised everywhere. Why? Because God is worthy to be praised everywhere. [00:39:31] (56 seconds) Edit Clip

Thanks be to God he saves us from our sins, individuals, and we receive eternal life. Thanks be to God for that glorious good news, but don't squash your gospel down so small that it's just about Jesus loved you so much he had to have you. No, God is jealous for his own glory, the sake of his great name. We continue to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth because there are still people who don't worship him, and he's worthy of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus is the Christ, the glory of God the Father. And so the gospel continues to go forth. That's good news, by the way, the fact that God is most concerned with his glory among the nations. Why? Because we can have confidence that he's going to accomplish his purpose. [00:40:34] (46 seconds) Edit Clip

Now, let me just bring this home for you real quick. You are not an apostle in the sense that Paul was. I'm not an apostle in the sense that Paul was, but you are set apart, right? If you believe in Jesus Christ, if he saved you from your sins, if he's made you a part of his family, if he's brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light, then guess what? You too are set apart to the gospel of God. [00:17:32] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

But Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ. He's been directly commissioned by Christ to communicate to the church. And so when he writes to the Romans, when he speaks, when he preaches, he is teaching directly from God. It's not a human office he has when he says, I was called to be an apostle. It's a direct calling from God that he received on the road to Damascus where Jesus Christ himself confronted Paul, converted Paul, and then commissioned Paul to be apostle to the Gentiles. [00:10:01] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

The content of the gospel is the person of Jesus Christ and his work. It is good news about Jesus. And what Paul's beginning to do here is unpack briefly the gospel that he's going to spend the entirety of the letters to the Romans sharing with us. He's going to systematically and more completely than anywhere else in the New Testament give us the doctrinal content of the gospel. But he starts by focusing on who the gospel is about because he never wants to move far from that. So he describes Jesus. He was descended from David according to the flesh. What does he mean by that? Well, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, has a human line of descent. He is truly flesh and blood. Specifically, he was born into the line of David. And that is really important for a number of reasons, not the least of which is this. [00:24:40] (56 seconds) Edit Clip

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