True Identity in Christ

Have you ever been absolutely sure about something, only to discover later that you were completely wrong? That sinking feeling in your stomach, the sudden rush of realization that you've been walking in the wrong direction. It’s humbling. It’s uncomfortable. But it can also be the exact moment God begins to redirect your life. That’s exactly what happened to Saul on the road to Damascus.

Saul wasn’t just spiritually confused or mildly off track, he was breathing threats and violence against the followers of Jesus. He was so convinced he was honoring God that he actively hunted down believers, dragging them out of homes, throwing them into prison, and believing every bit of it was righteous. He had a cause, a mission, and an identity built on passion and tradition. But then, in one blinding moment, everything unraveled. A light flashed from heaven and a voice called out, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Jesus didn’t say, “Why are you persecuting my people?” He said, “Why are you persecuting me?” He was so closely identified with His people that any attack on them was personal. And here’s the most surprising part, He called Saul by name.

Think about that. Jesus knew exactly who Saul was and what he had done, and still He didn’t call him by his reputation or his mistakes. He called him by name. That alone is a glimpse of grace. It reminds us that God’s invitation is always personal. And what came next was even more profound. Jesus didn’t lay out the whole plan. He simply said, “Get up and go into the city, and you’ll be told what to do.” No five-year strategy. Just the next step. And for the next three days, Saul sat in blindness. No food. No water. Just silence and waiting.

We do not like that part of the story. We want clarity. We want to know what’s next. But more often than not, God gives us just enough light for the next step. And while Saul waited, God was working. He was already preparing someone else, Ananias, to be part of Saul’s healing and transformation. At first, Ananias argued. “Lord, I’ve heard about this guy. Are you sure?” But God made it clear. Saul was His chosen instrument. Not because he had it all together, but because God had a greater purpose for his life. That’s how God works. He calls unlikely people to do unimaginable things, not because they’re perfect, but because they’re willing to surrender.

After Saul’s sight was restored, he didn’t immediately go on a preaching tour. He spent time with the disciples in Damascus. He learned. He listened. He sat still long enough to let his new identity take root. That step is so often overlooked. In our hurry to move on or prove ourselves, we miss the power of pausing. Saul didn’t just receive a new assignment. He received a new identity. And that identity was no longer based on status. It was based entirely on Jesus.

That matters more than we realize. In a world constantly telling us to define ourselves by what we do, how we feel, or what we’ve accomplished, Jesus offers something entirely different. He offers a name. A place. A purpose. Our culture loves slogans like “live your truth” and “follow your heart,” but we rarely stop to ask who made our heart and what if our heart is leading us in the wrong direction. Jeremiah says the heart is deceitful above all things. That means it’s entirely possible to be passionately wrong. Saul was.

So, let’s pause and reflect. Where have you been placing your identity? Is it in your job title, your family role, your image, your success, your pain? Have you believed any of these lies: “Divorce will make me happy,” “I can’t afford to be generous,” “I’m not spiritual enough,” “This relationship is different,” “My kids will figure it out,” or “I just need a break from church”? These sound convincing, but they’re often rooted in fear, pride, or misplaced trust. None of those lies will lead to the freedom you’re looking for. Only Jesus can do that.

Jesus is still calling people by name. Not just to save them from something, but to invite them into something better. Something rooted in truth. Something unshakable. He is not going to affirm a version of you that was built on lies or wounds or confusion. He wants to make you new.

This week, consider these questions. What has been your “step on the Lego” moment, where God allowed something painful to wake you up? What is the next step He’s asking you to take, even if you don’t see the whole path? Have you taken the time to pause and process who you are becoming in Him? What lies have you believed about your identity that it’s time to let go of?

You don’t have to define yourself. That’s not your job. It never was. Let Jesus do that. Let Him call you by name. Let Him give you your identity. And from that place, let Him lead you into a life built on truth.

Walking with You,

Pastor John Joiner