Scripture to Read: Romans 1:6–7
After God had Paul share the vision of reaching all nations through the name of Jesus Christ, God had Paul focus on addressing the recipients of this letter. God had Paul refer to the recipients as “the called of Jesus Christ” in Romans 1:6 and then as “all who are beloved of God in Rome” in Romans 1:7. The Christians in Rome knew their lives were not their own and that their authority was God and God alone. God was and is sovereign over all! We must understand that all of the believers in Christ living in Rome belonged to God and His family. The same is still true today, that every follower of Christ belongs to God the Father and His family. This news is the Good News of the gospel. God the Father’s love was fully displayed on the cross through Jesus Christ our Lord. God’s love was for the church in Rome, just as it is for us now. The gospel reveals how God loves us and as people respond to the gospel in repentance and faith, we join the “called as saints” (Romans 1:7). Being called a “saint” means we are called to live holy lives. The reason the believers in Rome, and all believers today, can say that we belong to Christ, are loved by God, and called His saints is because of His grace that comes from God the Father through Christ our Lord. As we examine God’s Word, we must trust His truth, that we belong to Christ, and also pursue lives of holiness as His saints.
Challenge & Application
· How does knowing you belong to Jesus Christ impact the way you live your life each day?
· How are you encouraged by the truth, God loves you and that God has called you to pursue a life of holiness as His saint?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!