Words of Grace for January 3

Romans 1:1-2 -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


There is a lot of confusion in the church today about what it means to be called*. In our day of self-centered humanism, we like to think that everyone is guaranteed an equality of outcomes, or at least an equality of opportunities. After all, that is the American way. But it is not God’s way.

God is very clear in the Scriptures that it is He who determines who He calls to salvation, not us. The literal translation of this second phrase is “a called apostle.” In other words, Paul is saying that he is not an apostle because he wanted to be. He is an apostle because he was called. Romans 9 tells us that God’s choice of us is not based on anything we have done, but on Him who calls. Paul understood this very well, since he in no way was looking for God when God called him, both to salvation and to his ministry. In fact, Paul did not consider his ministry separate from his salvation. He was saved into ministry.

We also, when God chooses to call us out of darkness into His marvelous light, are called into ministry. It is important for us to realize that salvation and ministry are all of God. It is God who determines where His grace will be revealed and when He will show it. This understanding takes the emphasis off of us and puts it on God. If you are a believer, it is because God called you and brought you to himself. This is why Paul was confident as he went about his life. He knew, experientially, what he wrote in Romans 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Paul knew that because God had called him, and not the other way around, God was working things out for His good.

You can know this, too. As you are struggling with work (or driving to work!), know that if God has called you, He is working for your good. As you are fighting temptation, remember that God called you. As you are quaking in your boots at the very thought of mentioning Christ to your co-workers and family, remember that you, like Paul, are called. And nothing can separate you from that calling or from the love of Christ that brought that calling. You have been called. Now, walk worthy of that calling.

* The theological description given for “call” by the 1689 London Baptist Confession is “inlightning their minds, spiritually, and savingly to understand the things of God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and by his Almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ”

FOR FURTHER STUDY

1. Read Acts 9:1-6. What is this passage a description of? (NOTE TO PARENTS: have children read the passage or listen for specific details about what happened)

2. In addition to verse 1, Paul uses the word “call” * in various forms 4 more times in the book of Romans. Look up Romans 1:6-7, Romans 11:29, and Romans 8:28-30. Looking at these verses, what does Paul mean by “call?” If you desire further study, look up Galatians 1:6, Galatians 1:15, and 2 Timothy 1:9 to see how Paul uses the word elsewhere (NOTE TO PARENTS: Children of very young age can grasp this concept as well. Don’t skip over this idea because you think they are too young.)

Children’s Catechism Question
Q - Who made you?
A - God made me.

Adult Catechism Question
Q - Who is the first and best of beings?
A - God is the first and best of beings.

Hymn
Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise