From the Pulpit: Called to give it all

As we conclude our look at Romans 1:1 we see that Paul draws it all together and he shows us in practical terms what our identity in Christ means. Romans 6:17-18 states that we were once slaves of sin, but now we are freed from sin and have become slaves of righteousness. We are now owned by righteousness. We are now owned by Jesus Christ. He is our owner. He is our Master. 

One ad for the U.S. Marines pictures a sword, and beneath it the words: “Earned, never given.” If you want to become a Marine, be prepared to earn that name through sacrifice, hardship, and training. If you get it, you deserve it.

Christians should have the exact opposite attitude, for the message of the gospel is: “Given, never earned.” We belong to Him.  He gave us that position.

Paul understood that fact and because of that he fulfilled his calling. He was “called” as an apostle. That’s how God chose to use Paul. He elevated Paul to the level of the twelve apostles who walked with Christ. When Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus He qualified Paul for the ministry to come. Paul was not self-appointed. He had not gained his office by arrogant, ambitious, and presumptuous efforts. God had called him.

Verse 1 concludes by telling us that Paul was set apart for the gospel of God. That was his entire service for his Master. No matter what he might have to endure, Paul was to share the gospel of God and reach areas that had never heard the Gospel before. And he was to start churches and he was to disciple the new believers and help them to grow in their faith. And he was to nurture the leaders and keep them on track in their walk with the Lord. Everywhere he went he was to take the Gospel with him, and let the Lord change lives through its life-giving message.

God has called you. He has set you apart through your spiritual gift. You have a purpose to fulfill for Him. The challenge will be to look through God’s eyes and to see that purpose in perfect clarity.

We close this study in Romans 1:1 with an illustration that talks about the value of clarity:

The movie A Beautiful Mind tells the story of John Nash, a brilliant mathematician whose career and life were cut short by paranoid schizophrenia. In one scene one of John’s colleagues is talking to John’s wife Alicia:

“So, Alicia, how are you holding up?”

Alicia responds feebly, “Well, the delusions have passed. They’re saying with medications …”

The colleague clarifies, “No, I mean you.”

Alicia pauses and explains, “I think often what I feel is obligation, or guilt, over wanting to leave, rage against John, against God. But then I look at him, and I force myself to see the man that I married, and he becomes that man. He’s transformed into someone that I love, and I’m transformed into someone that loves him. It’s not all the time, but it’s enough.”

“I think John is a very lucky man,” the colleague says.

Clarity is being able to see beyond the surface reality to see the truth that lies beneath. To have clarity we have to see everything through God’s eyes … to see ourselves as God identifies us. Last week we said that if we get Romans 1:1 right then the rest becomes easier. Paul identified himself in this verse. Now put your name in there. When we get Romans 1:1 right we get the message right. When we get Romans 1:1 right we get our position right. It’s the challenge of the journey …  to get it right.