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Romans 1:7
The Apostle Paul has claimed to be the author of this letter to the Romans, and that this letter is rooted in the Son of God of whom the Holy Scriptures have announced, and the power of the Holy Spirit by which Jesus was raised from the dead. It is through Him in which we receive grace from God to obedience to Him for all who are called by Him (Romans 1:1-6).
In Romans 1:7, Paul addresses to whom this letter is written as it is to the, “beloved of God, called to be saints: (NKJV). So we see that this letter is written not to the city of Rome, but the church – in Christ – at Rome. Paul sends his greeting to the church at Rome as he says in Romans 1:7b, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
This is an example of a proper greeting in the name of Jesus.
In this greeting to the church at Rome is a reference to the “beloved” which is a title for all those who are believers in Christ Jesus. But Paul also gives an address to the “saints,” which is described as one who is set apart. In Christ Jesus, we are all set apart to the calling in which He put on our lives. We have a tendency to put this title on those who have led a life-long Christian calling as if there is a “pecking order” in Christians, but that is not how God views all who put their trust/faith in Christ Jesus. Paul tells us in Galatians 3:26-28 (HCSB), “for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ like a garment. There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” So, if we are all one in Christ Jesus then at the moment you accepted Jesus into your heart and into your life, you are set apart – you became at that moment a saint in Christ Jesus. In being set apart in Christ Jesus, God has a calling to fulfill in your life; are you seeking that calling? Are you seeking God’s will for your life? It may seem too hard or that God’s calling on your life is past, but God is only waiting on the right time to put you into action. God waited in preparing me for this moment for over thirty years. It may be that through the ministry of this message He will call you to action today. It is never too late for God to work through your life to bring Him glory. I pray that today is that day!
Dear LORD,
When we put our faith in Jesus and open our hearts to Him in receiving the blessing of Your Holy Spirit to live within us, we become the “beloved of God” and “saints” as Paul describes of the church at Rome in his address to them. Please help us to see that You have a reason for calling us to salvation in Christ Jesus that we would seek Your will for our lives and put that plan into action to bring glory to You through Your Holy Spirit working in our lives. In Jesus name I pray, amen.