"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

Bible Text:
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
—1 John 3:1 (NIV)

Question to Ponder:
Am I trying to earn my purpose through performance, or am I living from the identity God has already given me?

Exposition: Purpose Begins with Who You Are, Not What You Do.

In a world that constantly demands results, productivity, and public success, it's easy to believe that our purpose is tied to how much we achieve or how well we perform. But Scripture offers a different foundation: our purpose is rooted in our identity as children of God, not in our activity for Him.

1 John 3:1 reminds us that before we do anything for God, we must first understand who we are in Him. We are not defined by our job titles, ministry roles, social status, or even our mistakes. We are defined by God’s love, which has made us His sons and daughters. And from this identity, our purpose flows naturally.

You don’t have to strive to become valuable in God’s eyes—you already are. When you understand that your identity is secure, unshakable, and sealed by His grace, your life begins to take shape from a place of rest, not restlessness; purpose, not pressure.

When we reverse this order—activity before identity—we risk burnout, insecurity, and spiritual dryness. But when we begin with who God says we are, everything we do becomes an expression of who we belong to.

1.You Are Loved Before You Ever Perform.

God’s love is not based on what you do—it’s based on who He is. You don’t have to earn your place in His heart. Before you ever took your first breath, He already loved you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).

Even Jesus, before performing a single miracle or preaching a single sermon, heard the Father say, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). This same love is extended to you. You are not a project to God—you are His child.

Pastor Tim Keller reminds us, “The only person who dares wake up a king at 3:00 a.m. for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access.” Knowing we are loved before we perform gives us security to live freely, not fearfully.

When you start your day grounded in the truth that you are fully loved, your work becomes worship, and your calling becomes a response—not a requirement.

2.You Are Secure Even When You Struggle.

We often tie our sense of worth to our success. When we fail, we feel disqualified. But your identity in Christ is not dependent on your performance—it is grounded in your position as His child.

Even when we struggle with sin, weakness, or discouragement, God's declaration over us remains: “You are Mine.” The prodigal son was still a son—even in the pigpen (Luke 15:11–24). Your failures don’t change your identity, but they do invite you back to the Father, who lovingly restores and reaffirms your purpose.

Pastor Craig Groeschel writes, “When you know who you are, you’ll know what to do.” Identity brings clarity and strength, even in weakness. God’s purpose for you does not expire with your mistakes. It’s rooted in grace, not perfection.

3.Your Identity Empowers Your Activity.

When you know who you are, you’re free to live with purpose and clarity. Identity fuels activity. Instead of hustling to earn God’s approval, you serve with joy, boldness, and peace because you already have His love.

Paul understood this when he said, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Identity informs calling. Purpose flows best when we live from the truth of who we are in Christ—sons and daughters, not slaves or orphans.

Author Henri Nouwen once said, “We are not what we do… we are not what we have… we are not what people say about us. We are the beloved daughters and sons of God.” When you live from identity, your activity becomes fruitful and fulfilling—not forced or fearful.

Quote.
"The soul that has given himself to Christ is more precious in His sight than the whole world. The Saviour would have passed through the agony of Calvary that one might be saved in His kingdom."
—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 196

Reflection Question:
Do I live from a sense of being loved and accepted by God, or am I still trying to prove my worth through what I do?

Appeal:
You are already God’s beloved child. Will you stop striving to earn His approval and start walking in your identity—resting in His love and reflecting His purpose?

Prayer:
Father, thank You for calling me Your child. I confess that I’ve often tied my worth to what I do. Help me to live from my identity in You—secure, loved, and purposed. Let everything I do be an overflow of who I am in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Further Reading:
Romans 8:15–17 – “The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship…”

Galatians 4:7 – “So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child…”

John 1:12 – “To all who received Him, He gave the right to become children of God…”