Called Through the Power of Jesus

The book of Romans is, in my opinion, the greatest theological letter of the New Testament. This letter is probably the most preached, taught and studied of any New Testament text outside of the gospels and perhaps even to a greater extent than any one of the gospels.  I’m very excited to see what God has in store for us as we walk through this together.  Let’s begin with the first seven verses: “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God ² which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, ³ concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, ⁴ and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. ⁵ Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, ⁶ among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;  ⁷ To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul comes right out of the gate with some amazing declarations about himself in his greeting.  First I want to highlight God’s involvement in Paul’s life.  In verse 1 Paul says that he is called and separated by God. He also writes that through Christ Paul and the other apostles have “received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith”.  This letter to the Romans reveals an awesome God.  You and I have also been called, separated and have received grace for the tasks that we have been given to perform.  We don’t have to figure this out on our own.  The other significant part of this opening section for me is the phrase “and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead.”  Jesus is declared by the Father to be the Son through the resurrection. No one believed that Jesus was Who He claimed to be until after the resurrection.  And to raise someone from the dead takes a power that had been unrevealed to that point on planet earth.  But Jesus was declared to be the Son.  I find that comforting.  This same Jesus desires to power and guide you through His Spirit.  As Paul begins this letter to the Romans he also begins this letter to you and me.  You are called and separated and you have been empowered to do everything that God calls you to do.  I desire for you to see Him in you in this way.  Go out today and live as a called and separated follower of Jesus.  Seize the day!!!