June 15, 2010, Romans 1

Key Verse:

" . . . Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God."

(Romans 1:1)

Central Truth:

You are set apart, chosen.

DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE ?

Paul knew absolutely who he was. I'm not talking about social standing and family names. I'm talking about a man chosen, set apart for the Gospel of God. Stop right now. Think about that. What does that mean? Because, you know what . . . . ?

So are you.

You are chosen.

Set apart.

For the Gospel of God.

Our calling is not just to be "good" or even holy men and women but to be set apart FOR the Gospel of God. The one thing that is all important is that the Gospel - the truth about the love, grace and redemption given us in Christ - is a reality that we are to proclaim. Why else would we be left here after salvation? If our fellowship with Christ will not be known in all of its fullness until we get to Heaven, why do we not go straight to Heaven after accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord? One reason is central - so that others may know. We are to be the messengers - the proclaimers of the reality of the Gospel. Without us, people do not have a representative of Christ.

So what does that mean for you for today? Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in who we want to appear to be, who we are striving to be, and who we "should" be that we forget who we truly are. Really, the only thing that is important is that we are chosen to be His representatives. We have all "represented" something at some point - be it an organization, our school, a product, whatever. We've had bumper stickers, t-shirts, and monograms to let everyone know; we brag on our school's teams, stats or what our product can do for you. So I ask, what are you doing to "represent" the Reality of the Redemption to others around you? Do you find a way in conversations to let others know what Christ has done for you? Do you "represent" Him well in your relationships? at work? at school?

Challenge:

"(Insert your name), a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God."

Put that on your mirror, on your dashboard, whatever, and make it your prayer that you will KNOW in your heart that this is who YOU are and live that with urgency.