The Normal Christian Life: A Journey Through Romans
Monday, January 9, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for your written word! Thank You for seeing that it has been preserved down through the ages, so that in our day we can know who You are and what You call us to be and do! I pray that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may comprehend Your word, and that put it into action as I go about this day. I pray for the servant attitude of the Apostle Paul, that I may look for ways to serve others in the name of Jesus, and thus share the new life He has given me with others. Use this time of study and reflection in my life, to draw me closer to You, and to equip me to serve You more faithfully. This I pray in Jesus’ name and for the sake of His coming Kingdom! Amen.
God’s Word Today—Romans 1:1-7
1This letter is from Paul, Jesus Christ’s slave, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2This Good News was promised long ago by God through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3It is the Good News about his Son, Jesus, who came as a man, born into King David’s royal family line. 4And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit. 5Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
6You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7dear friends in Rome. God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people.
May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on God’s Word
As we study Paul’s letter to the Romans each day, which is God’s word to each of us, we will consider a specific verse or verses from the over all passage to reflect on, to ponder, to study and to put into action in our daily lives! I would encourage you to read the whole passage through each day—that way it will become more and more a part of you. Then focus in on the highlighted text (it will be found in bold type.) As we consider verse 1 today, note that of all the titles the Apostle Paul could have used in introducing himself to the Roman Christians, he decided to use the title “Jesus Christ’s SLAVE.” Reflect for a moment on what that word “slave” means. What would it mean for Paul to be Jesus Christ’s slave? Why would he use such an identifying title? Paul understood how much he owed Jesus—his very soul. Therefore, nothing was too much for Jesus to ask. Paul made certain that the Romans understood this. When we start off considering ourselves slaves of Jesus Christ, then we will recognize that every day is an opportunity to serve others in His name. It is through this life of servanthood that the world comes to recognize that reality of Jesus’ Christ’s lordship in our lives, and to consider receiving Him for themselves as Savior and Lord!
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
How do you think you would have responded to Paul’s use of the title “Jesus Christ’s slave” if you had been one of the original readers of his letter to the Christians at Rome?
What does it mean to be an “apostle”?
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
If we understand ourselves as “Jesus Christ’s slaves” what does that tell us about God’s purpose for us? (Be as specific as you can!)
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
What specific action(s) will you take as a result of having read today’s Scripture? (Write 1-3 actions below, and then take time to ask God to empower you to carry them out TODAY!)
Thoughts - Slave and Apostle!
Paul was both a slave and an apostle, a person of lowly state and high position! Slaves were common in Paul’s day, indeed as many as 70% of the people living in the Roman Empire may have been slaves. Paul was born as a free citizen of Rome. He enjoyed many of the same privileges we know as citizens of the United States of America, and yet once Jesus Christ became his Savior and Lord, Paul freely gave up all claim to his own rights, so that others could know the freedom that only Jesus can offer. Paul would have been well aware of the work of slaves. His family may even have owned slaves and used them to carry out the menial tasks of the household. Given the dramatic nature of his conversion, and the high status he held before becoming a follower of Jesus, we might think that Paul would have stood on his many titles and used them as leverage among the Jews. Instead, Paul abandoned even his Jewish name (which was Saul), that he could be a true slave for the cause of Jesus Christ among the Gentiles. (More on that later in the week!) Paul recognized that no matter how long he lived, it would be a short term compared with eternity, and he wanted to serve his Master, Jesus, to the fullest that the most possible people could enter God’s eternal Kingdom, through His ministry.
Paul was also an apostle. In all of church history only twelve men may truly claim that title. Judas was an apostle, but forfeited his position to Paul. The apostles were the original followers of Jesus, who were sent out with the purpose of advancing His Kingdom. While Paul came late to the “party,” he certainly made the most of his opportunities. Paul started churches all over the middle east—really all over the known world of his day. His influence spread far and wide as he mentored others who would take his place when he was gone. We would do well to understand Paul’s methods, because they still work----learn the Good News, share the Good News, and teach others to share the Good News, so that when we’re gone it will still be shared! As we study the letter to the Romans this year, we will see how diligently and faithfully Paul lived as a slave of Jesus and as His apostle. What more could be said of any of us than that we SERVED Jesus faithfully, and shared the Good News continually!
This Week’s Memory Verse:
They will believe and obey Him, bringing glory to His name. Romans 1:5b