Romans 1:1-7

                                                                 Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


Paul begins his letter to the Romans by identifying who he is, what his purposes are and reminding his readers who they are in Christ.  God has identified us with Christ for the purpose of joining the mission of Christ to bring about salvation and transformation in the world.  We live in a broken and sinful world surrounded by people for whom Christ died and to whom He offers a new life.  We are called to bring the hope of the Gospel we have experienced to the nations who so desperately need the hope we have found in Christ.

 

PAUL’S IDENTITY IN CHRIST: Paul identifies himself as a servant, that has been sent and set apart by Christ.  He is a man who is under the authority and at the disposal of Christ.  He has been called by God to lay the foundation of the church in unreached nations.  He has been separated for the purpose of ministering the Word of God to others.  It is so important for us to recognize who we are in Christ.  We are not all apostles or set apart for the purpose of ministry.  We are all called to serve Christ in some way, and it is important for us to discern what we believe that to be and then do it with all our heart.  This must be done in a spirit of humility with a commitment to bring glory to God, advance the Gospel, and edify the body of Christ.

 

PAUL’S MISSION IN CHRIST: Paul’s purpose in God’s mission was to make Christ known to others.  Jesus is the Messiah.  He was descended from David while at the same time the Son of God.  Jesus is the man with the right to reign over the nation Israel but is also the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.  Jesus is proved to be the Messiah by the power of the Holy Spirit who raised Him from the dead.  Paul’s mission then becomes to make the true identity of Christ known amongst all nations on the earth.  The grace of Christ to provide salvation from and victory over sin and death is the message we are all called to make known to all men everywhere.  We may all have different functions in this mission; but we all have been called to live for the fulfillment of this mission.

 

PAUL’S PROMISES IN CHRIST: The result of our identity in Christ and the mission of Christ is that the promises of Christ become available to all.  The Gospel allows us to belong to God, be loved by God and experience the grace and peace that is ours through the cross of Christ.  The promise of the Gospel is that we become the children of God.  We stop being objects of God’s wrath and experience His profound love.  His peace become the reality of our lives.  None of these promises are earned or given to us because we have any merit.  They are gifts that come to us by the amazing grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

APPLICATION: Seek to understand your identity in Christ and what He has called you to do to promote the advance of the Gospel in the nations.  Make use of every opportunity to make Jesus and the message of the cross known to those who surround us and those who are spread across the world that don’t have access to the Gospel.  Enjoy the promises of God’s grace that makes us beloved children of God who are able to experience the peace of God in every circumstance.  Call others into the joy of serving Christ.

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