Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God—the Gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy scriptures regarding His Son, as to His human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Him and for His name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
– Romans 1:1-6
Devotion
In writing this letter to the church in Rome, Paul purposes to define the Gospel and the condition of man that necessitates the Gospel. Paul writes to explain the tenants of Biblical Christianity. Let me encourage you to do something that will totally impact your understanding of Christianity: read the Book of Romans, and read it regularly. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you. This book will ground the believer in the faith. Paul identifies himself in these opening verses as a servant, or slave (doulos), of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul took on this position willingly. After surrendering to Christ, God called him to be an apostle (sent one). Paul then verifies this by declaring that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. The resurrection is the hinge pin of the Christian faith. Without it, Christianity falls apart. Then Paul goes on to identify himself as an apostle to the Gentiles. Paul had a specific calling to share the Good News with those outside of the Jewish faith. “Grace” and “apostleship” are significant terms. “Grace” is God’s method of salvation. None of us could ever have been saved if God had not been gracious. Although “apostleship” referred specifically to Paul and the others who were technically apostles, every believer is a “sent one.” Every believer should be a witness, one sent forth with a message.
The Big Question
What are you doing to get the Gospel of God out these days? Do you consider yourself a bond servant of the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you also among those called to belong to Jesus Christ?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.