Scripture to Read: Romans 1:1
As we continue to examine Romans 1:1, we also see that God had Paul describe himself as an apostle. This is significant because apostles were those Christ had appointed for a particular function in the church. Apostles actually saw the resurrected Christ and were then commissioned and empowered by our Lord to proclaim the gospel to all nations. Now, every believer has been commissioned and empowered by our Lord to proclaim the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:18–20), but we are not apostles because none of us have seen the resurrected Christ. Also, Paul was humble about even being considered an apostle of God. Paul shared this about his apostleship in 1 Corinthians 15:8–9, and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. God also had Paul proclaim that he was set apart for the gospel of God. To be “set apart” meant to live distinct from the world and for a specific mission. To live different than the world, all believers must crucify our “fleshly” desires every day and live for Christ and His mission, which is the gospel of God. God called Paul to tell others the gospel and live in a way that pointed people to Christ. We, as believers, have been set apart for the gospel of God too. We must live differently from the world and focus on Christ (Colossians 3:1–2).
Challenge & Application
· What does it mean to be “set apart for the gospel of God?”
· How are you living as a person who has been set apart for the gospel of God?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!