By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry

"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God."

Identity Before Ministry

When you hear the word ministry, what comes to mind? Do you immediately think of a church, an organization, or a formal position?

My friend, if you have renounced the enemy and made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, then your life has become a ministry that exists to glorify God.

As we journey through the book of Romans over the coming months, I encourage you not to simply read God's Word but to study it prayerfully. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His truth and allow Scripture to transform your heart.

When I study the Bible, I often ask these questions:

• Why was this written?
• Who was the audience?
• What is God revealing about Himself?
• What is He teaching me?
• How is He calling me to live differently?

Before reading Romans, I encourage you to read Acts chapter 9, where we see Paul's dramatic conversion. The man who once persecuted the church became one of its greatest servants. His life reminds us that no one is beyond God's redeeming grace.

One of the first lessons that stood out to me in Romans 1:1 is how Paul introduced himself.

He could have spoken of his education, his miracles, or his missionary accomplishments. Instead, he simply wrote:

"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus..."

Before Paul identified himself as an apostle, he identified himself as a servant.

That is profound.

Paul understood that his relationship with Jesus was more important than his position. He learned from Christ Himself, who said:

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve..." (Mark 10:45, NIV)

Following Jesus has never been about promoting ourselves. It is about exalting Christ through humility and obedience.

So let me ask you:

When people look at your life, who do they see?

Before Paul was an apostle, he was a servant.

Before he was a missionary, he belonged to Jesus.

Before he led others, he first submitted himself to Christ.

The same is true for us.

Whether we serve from a platform or quietly behind the scenes, servanthood is not a position—it is the identity of every follower of Jesus Christ.

Our identity must always come before our ministry.

We do not serve to earn our identity.

We serve because we already belong to Jesus Christ.

Weekly Scripture Romans 1:1 NIV