Today we looked at Romans 1:1-7 and the fact that we are a called people. Paul was called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God. Jesus turned his life around on the road to Damascus, changing him from a zealous Pharisee who persecuted Christians, thinking that was God’s will to God’s servant (Acts 9.) We may not be apostles like Paul (though Ephesians 4 makes it plain that God still gives apostles, evangelists, prophets pastors and teachers to help equip God’s people for works of service), but we are all called to be witnesses to what God has done for us in Christ Jesus.
We are also called to the obedience that comes from faith (Rom 1:5), a reminder that faith and actions must work together (James 2:22) and that obedience is the practical outworking of faith (see Matt 7:24-26, Rom 14:23). Our obedience is seen as we love, forgive and serve other people. (Col 3:12-14, Gal 5:21-23).
Paul says that w are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. (Rom 1:6) Belonging is one of the greatest gifts God gives us. We are now part of His family, also known as the body of Christ which reminds us all of us are necessary for the body to function correctly. Belonging means we are not lonely or without purpose but are part of God’s church; we are welcomed and accepted by God.
Finally, God calls us to be His holy people. (Rom 1:7) Holiness is not simply an abstract word. It is our desire to be holy as God is holy, and is a work done by His Holy Spirit in us as we cooperate with Him (the process is known as sanctification.) We are loved unconditionally by God (Rom 5:8) and reflect His character as we forgive others and live a life of sacrificial love.
Paul concludes this section by speaking of grace and peace – God’s gift to us all. The good news is that God has stepped into our world in the person of Jesus and is calling us now to live differently, to live in the world where grace, peace, love and acceptance shape our identities. We are being called to live in the obedience that comes from faith, to be set apart for the gospel of God, to grow in holiness, to reflect who God is to a world that does not know Him.
