This blog is duplicated on http://www.mycommnunitychurch.org.uk

Romans 1:1-7

I recently preached from these introductory seven verses in Romans. What struck me as I prepared for this was that Paul speaks about God’s call four times as he introduces himself to the church in Rome.

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, who 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 all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:1-7 (NIV)

Our Calling

First of all in verse 1 we see that Paul considers himself to be called to be an apostle. It is clear from this opening verse that Paul knows that he is both a humble servant of God and that he has been given a high calling from God. He knows that he is at the bidding of his Master and that he called to obedience to his Lord, but he is also clear that he has been called to a role of ministry, a purpose. We all would identify with Paul when he declares himself to be Christ’s servant, and we humbly acknowledge that we have been purchased by Jesus to belong to him, without any significance of our own, but only having significance in the name of our master. However, do we all identify so clearly with the call that God has placed upon our lives, the role that he has called to play in the Body of Christ. Hebrews 12:1 says that we are to run “the race marked out for us”. God has plans for each of us, Paul was clear about his calling, and gave himself to it. Whatever we believe God has called us to, even if it is a small thing, or for a short season, let us give ourselves to it with all our heart and strength, knowing that this is God’s call upon our life.

Called to Call

Secondly, we see that Paul was clear about the purpose of his call. In verse 1 he says that he has been set apart for the gospel, and in verse 5 he says that he is to call people to obedience in the faith. Paul’s emphasis on the gospel is clear in the first chapter of Romans. In verse 9 he says that he serves God by preaching the gospel, in verse 15 he is eager to preach the gospel, and in verse 16 he asserts that he is not ashamed of the gospel. Paul had a priority on telling others about Jesus. We are called by God, in order that we may be used by him to declare the gospel and call others to faith in Christ. This is an area of our call which I believe is often neglected. Where is our heart for the lost? Where is our eagerness to talk about Jesus? Paul was clear about the priority of the gospel, and that he was called to call others to faith in Jesus.

Called to Belong

In verse 6 Paul says that we are called to belong to Jesus. Douglas Moo in his commentary on Romans says:

“Call” and its cognates are used by Paul to express an “effectual” calling. What is meant is not an “invitation” but the powerful and irresistible reaching out of God in grace to bring people into his kingdom.[1]

We have been brought into the kingdom of God by his grace and now belong to Jesus. This changes everything! We belong to Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We are alive in him, resurrected in him, seated with him, co-heirs with him, and as we belong to Jesus we belong to his glorious body, the church. We are joined with Christ, belonging to him, and this means that we have put to death our sinful nature and live our lives for him and him alone.

Called to be

Finally, in verse 7 we see that Paul says that we are called to be saints. Paul often addresses the people of God as saints. This term is used for the whole of God’s people, not just few specially selected ones! This is not a term used because of our behaviour, or anything that we have done, but it is a term that denotes our status in Christ. We are saved, forgiven, justified, and given the righteousness of Christ, by grace, and grace only. When we belong to Jesus, we are made holy and acceptable, and called saints. Paul says in this verse that we are called to be saints. Our lives should reflect our status as we live in holiness and obedience in a response of love and worship to our gracious God.

We have been called to a new life, a life of fullness and purpose. We are to live in the knowledge that Jesus has justified us and made us righteous, and that we are acceptable to God and can enjoy his presence in our lives. We are to walk in obedience to the call upon our life, and live for the glory of the one who called us, so that others will see and hear of all that Jesus has done.

What a call!