Romans 1:1 "Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God..."
This week we’re going to take a look at the second of three phrases Paul used to identify himself as he opened his letter to the church in Rome. As I stated last time, the significance of Paul’s opening words are that he is identifying himself to the readers, and by doing so in this fashion, he sums up 'who he is' by these phrases.
After referring to himself as a bondservant of Jesus Christ, Paul says he is “called to be an apostle...”
We are not all called to do the same thing, and there is no more or less important calling in The Church, or the "body" of Christ. However, we are all instructed to be certain of OUR CALLING, or as The Message Translation puts it, “God’s invitation to you, His choice of you.” (2 Peter 1:10) But let’s not get our ambitions or desires mixed up with God’s calling. Sometimes we WANT to be or do something that God has not called us to be. And, as Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa plainly puts it, “You can’t be any more than God has called you to be. And we often times get into trouble trying to do more than God has called us to do.” We are not responsible to God for any more or any less than what He has called us to.
But why is it so important that you and I be certain of God’s calling? Why shouldn’t we just attend church, give faithfully, and serve where there’s a need? The way I'm challenged by this question is an important element behind Paul’s description of himself. Not his apostleship, but in his identity being firmly rooted in his calling.
The instruction found earlier in the first chapter of 2 Peter really give us insight to this:
“...Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One[Jesus] who invited us to God...don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others...But if anyone does not have [these qualities], he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” (from verses 3-8)
Peter goes on to explain to us that for this reason, be certain of God's intent for you and you will be firmly rooted, you will not fail. (v.10) Essentially it's a stair step process with a successful life of following Christ being the top step. Each subsequent step is outlined as character, discipline, patience, love, etc. As we are shaped by these traits we can become certain of our calling. If we neglect the pursuit of these traits, it will be as if we've forgotten that the perfect blood of Jesus acts as perfect atonement for our sins.
Knowing our individual calling is a key to our personal spiritual development. And our resolve to become more like Christ is pivotal in reaching the world Jesus died for. Because when we build character, patience and love on top of basic faith in Jesus, we can be certain of God’s calling and firmly rooted in Christ. Only then can we exercise God’s calling, be used to reach the world, and really discover who we are in Christ.
So where are we on this proverbial stair step process? Are our lives marked by these characteristics? Are we on a steady path of building patience and character towards exercising God's best intention for us? Subsequently, do the people in our lives know that WE KNOW that we are forgiven and free from the snare of sin?
One of the most important lessons I learned in Bible College was to confront the truth in the Bible honestly. So when I'm directly challenged by the Bible's instruction I must honestly compare that to my life, and make no excuses.
That is, if I really believe Jesus gave up his life so I could live.
-g
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