Transformed by Mercy: Pursuing Christ’s Likeness

Today in chapel, Pastor Garrett Kell from Del Ray Baptist Church taught from Romans 12, reminding us that the Christian life is not about striving to earn God’s approval but about pursuing Christ’s likeness because of the mercy we’ve already received.

Be Motivated by Mercy

Kell’s first point is anchored in Romans 12:1. Kell states that this is the starting point of sanctification: “Believers obey from love, not for it.” The motivation for our obedience is not guilt or fear but gratitude.

Kell also urged us to regularly check our motives. “Why do you do things?” he asked. If our actions flow from duty or obligation alone, we miss the heart of worship. But when mercy shapes our motives, our obedience brings joy and glorifies God.

Be Surrendered as Worship

Paul exhorts us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice in the second half of verse 1. According to Kell, this means that “every day we are worshiping God as a living sacrifice.” Worship is not confined to church services or songs — it is the daily surrender of our bodies, words, decisions, and desires to the Lord. Following Christ’s own example of self-giving, we are called to live sacrificially, offering our entire lives as worship.

Be Conformed to Christ

In the verse 2, Paul warns believers to be renewed by Christ rather than conforming to the world. Kell observed, “The world makes sin look normal and righteousness strange.” That’s why believers must resist the pull of conformity and instead pursue transformation through God’s living Word.

In this way, Kell encouraged us to “read God’s Word as life and lock arms with others to discern what is from the Lord.” The process of renewing our minds requires both Scripture and community. As he reminded us, “God’s will for you is to be made like Jesus.” This transformation is not instantaneous but an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. “Nothing is meaningless, everything is meaningful, every moment God is working in,” Kell said.