1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4and 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. 5Through 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. 6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Romans 1:1-7
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Since the entire first paragraph is a giant run on sentence, I had to break it down in my head:
Paul
- a servant of Christ Jesus
- called to be an apostle
- set apart for the gospel of God
- the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures
- regarding His Son (Jesus Christ our Lord)
- who as to his human nature was a descendant of David
- and who … was declared with power to be the Son of God
- through the Spirit of holiness
- by his resurrection from the dead
Through him [Jesus] and for his name’s sake we received
- grace
- apostleship to call people
- from among all the Gentiles
- to the obedience that comes from faith
And you are also among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ
Back when I was playing in the streets, one way of settling teams was having two leaders of the group do rock-paper-scissors, and each them choosing their members in turn. The outcome, as to be expected, is usually that the best/fastest/tallest/shortest was picked first, depending on the game. (We didn’t use this method often, and I think it’s to our credit that we valued diplomacy over the implied insult to those who keep getting chosen last.)
Even as little children, we already realize the value of being singled out for something, especially if you knew that there are others in line for the position, that you don’t necessarily have to be the one. As we grow up, this translated into a quiet satisfaction when we are chosen for some favorable responsibilities, inherent pride in being given honors and awards, and an understandable elation when we are selected for job positions.
As Christians, we have also been singled out in this very same way, but on a much deeper level. God chose us, laid out our path, and set our feet on this earth very carefully, even before we knew what was happening. He has charted out our mission and planted the flag on the goal that we have to reach, that He has set for us as well. He even gave us the map and the instructions in order to reach it, and all the tools that we could ever need. Those are not the actions of someone who doesn’t care if we serve our purpose, or doesn’t care if we reach our goal.
Our life, the way we live it, and the outcome of it at the end times — all these things matter to God. The choosing did not come lightly. In His infinite wisdom, for all His majesty and awesomeness and kingly presence, He has chosen you specifically, for the tasks that He has set, for the charges that He has made, for the things that He wants you to accomplish. In His mercy and kindness, you don’t have to be the best/fastest/tallest/shortest or whatever other superlative there is. It is enough for Him that you are you, since He made you in the first place, and because of that He is choosing you.
Yes you are weak, incomplete, inadequate in some ways. But think about the comparison that God, in His love, is drawing. He is calling you as He called His Son, Jesus Christ, who is descended from kings, heir to a heritage of royalty, in line for the Kingdom and the Throne.
That is our calling. We are being called right now to be saints, to be kings even, and we should speak, act, and live as such.
Reflection Question
Are you living your life in the manner that God has appointed you, as a king and inheritor of His Kingdom? Are you answering the call to belong to Christ’s Church every day?
Lord thank you for choosing me, and for illuminating my life with Your presence. I claim my birthright to renewal in You; may my words and actions reflect the righteousness and holiness in which You have sealed me. I know Lord that once You have called your people they remain called, and bound unto You. Grant that I may be anointed with a wisdom that comes from You, and that I may have the strength to abide by the charges that You have set upon me. Amen
