Living Out Our Divine Calling with Integrity

Life is short, and what truly matters is what we do for Christ. Inspired by the story of C.T. Studd, who gave up everything for the sake of the gospel, we are reminded that our lives are not our own—they are meant for a greater purpose. God has called each of us, not just to salvation, but to a life that is set apart, purposeful, and lived out daily in a way that reflects His character. This calling is not just for a select few, but for every believer. We are chosen, handpicked by God, and invited into His family to live out a calling that is both eternal and practical.

There are three types of calling that shape our lives. First, the eternal call to salvation, where the Holy Spirit draws us to Christ. Second, the temporary call to specific assignments or roles in our lives—these may change over time, but God equips us for each one. Third, and most crucial for our daily walk, is the call to live by a different standard every single day. This is not about what we do, but about who we are. God is more concerned with our identity, our motives, and our integrity than with our achievements. When we know who we are in Christ—chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, God’s own possession—our actions will naturally flow from that identity.

The world may misunderstand or even malign us, just as it did the early Christians. But our response is not to defend ourselves with words, but to live lives of such integrity, generosity, and love that our actions speak for themselves. We are called to be different, to show the goodness of God, and to let our honorable lives silence the critics. This means refusing to retaliate, choosing blessing over insult, and living with a joy and positivity that comes from knowing Christ. The Christian life is not easy, but it is worth it. We are on call 24/7 to live out this difference, to be a light in the darkness, and to answer God’s daily call to love, serve, and reflect Jesus in all we do.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Your Calling Begins with Your Identity, Not Your Activity Before God ever asks us to do something, He calls us to be someone. Our actions must flow from a deep understanding of who we are in Christ: chosen, royal, holy, and dearly loved. When we root our lives in this identity, our purpose and direction become clear, and our daily choices reflect the character of Christ. [12:45]
• 2. Daily Standards Shape Lifelong Impact Every time we let a standard slide, we set a new, usually lower, standard. God calls us to live by a higher standard every day, not just in big moments but in the small, unseen choices. Consistency in our daily walk is what sets us apart and allows us to make a lasting difference for the kingdom. [08:23]
• 3. Let Your Life Speak Louder Than Your Words The world may accuse or misunderstand, but our honorable behavior is our best defense. Living responsibly and with integrity among unbelievers is a powerful testimony that can silence criticism and point others to Christ. Our lives should be a portrait of what we believe, showing Jesus before we ever speak His name. [19:14]
• 4. Respond to Hurt with Blessing, Not Retaliation Jesus modeled a radically different way of responding to insult and injury—not with revenge, but with forgiveness and blessing. We are called to follow in His steps, refusing to let our emotions dictate our actions, and choosing love over hate, truth over lies, and joy over bitterness. This is the daily call to live inexplicably different. [27:43]
• 5. The Church’s Power Is in Its Consistency and Love The church is not perfect, but it is God’s chosen instrument to display His truth and love to the world. Our collective calling is to be a pillar of truth, marked by grace, generosity, and a refusal to be defined by what we are against. Instead, we are known for who we stand for—Jesus—and for living out His love in practical, visible ways every day. [24:46]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:21] - God’s New Day and Our Calling
• [03:10] - Career vs. Calling: What You’re Made For
• [05:00] - Three Types of Calling
• [08:23] - Called to a Daily Standard
• [09:09] - Who Before Do: Identity in Christ
• [12:45] - Four Truths About Who You Are
• [14:56] - The Messiness and Beauty of the Church
• [16:19] - Living Differently in a Skeptical World
• [17:36] - Living Responsibly Among Unbelievers
• [19:14] - Letting Our Actions Speak
• [21:34] - Silencing Critics with Honorable Lives
• [22:33] - Fruitfulness Over Noise
• [24:46] - The Church as Pillar of Truth
• [25:40] - Following Jesus’ Example
• [27:43] - Choosing Blessing Over Retaliation
• [30:42] - The Daily Call to Live Differently
• [32:28] - Prayer and Invitation to Respond

Bible Reading

1 Peter 2:9-12 (ESV) — > 9 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.
> 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
> 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
> 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:21-24 (ESV) — > 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
> 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
> 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
> 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

1 Peter 3:9 (ESV) — > 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Peter 2:9, what four things does Peter say about the identity of believers? ([12:45])
2. In 1 Peter 2:12, what does Peter say is the result of living honorably among unbelievers?
3. How did Jesus respond when he was insulted or suffered, according to 1 Peter 2:23? ([25:40])
4. What does Peter instruct believers to do instead of repaying evil for evil in 1 Peter 3:9? ([27:43])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Peter emphasizes identity (“chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, God’s own possession”) before talking about what believers should do? How does this order affect the way we live out our faith? ([12:45])
2. What does it look like in practical terms to “keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable” in today’s world? ([17:36])
3. The sermon mentioned that the world may misunderstand or criticize Christians. Why is it important to let our actions “speak louder than our words” in these situations? ([19:14])
4. Jesus did not retaliate when he was insulted or suffered. What does it mean for us to “follow in his steps” when we are wronged or hurt? ([25:40])

Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “Your calling begins with your identity, not your activity.” Is there an area of your life where you’ve been more focused on what you do than who you are in Christ? How could you shift your focus this week? ([12:45])
2. Think about a recent situation where you were tempted to lower your standards or compromise your integrity. What would it look like to set a higher standard in that area, even in the small, unseen choices? ([08:23])
3. Have you ever experienced being misunderstood or criticized for your faith? How did you respond, and how might you respond differently if you let your actions speak for you? ([19:14])
4. The sermon challenged us to “respond to hurt with blessing, not retaliation.” Is there someone in your life right now who has hurt you? What is one practical way you could choose to bless them instead of getting even? ([27:43])
5. The church is called to be known for who we stand for—Jesus—and for living out His love in practical ways. What is one way you could show generosity or kindness to someone outside the church this week? ([24:46])
6. The sermon said, “We are on call 24/7 to live out this difference.” What is one area of your daily routine where you could be more intentional about reflecting Jesus, even when no one is watching? ([30:42])
7. When you think about your calling, do you feel more drawn to the “big moments” or the “daily, small choices”? Why do you think that is, and how could you invite God into your everyday decisions this week? ([08:23])