Daily Devotions
July 6th, 2016 by Pastor SolleyRom 1:1-7 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made 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 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
KJV
Called to an apostle was a serious thing. Called to be a Christian or a saint is a serious thing as well. That phrase “Called to be” is used only of the apostles and saints of God. It is found only four times in the Bible, here and in Col 1, and used only of this apostle and the Christian or saints of God, so it is a serious thing. I want to make it clear that I am not a Calvinist, I do NOT believe that some people are called to salvation and some are not, that God has preordained who can be saved and who cannot. Jesus said that He would draw all men to Himself, not some all. The Bible says that God NOT willing that any should perish, but that All would come to repentance. All does mean all or God would not have used that word. The Bible is then speaking to the redeemed in Christ, to those who of their own free will have repented of sin and turned to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and eternal life when it speaks of those who are called to be saints. (Verse 7) Understand Christian it is a serious matter that we live as a saint of God, that we present ourselves as Christians or Christ like, that we represent Jesus Christ in this world. One way to do that is to keep it ever before you, what you are and who you are. I used to tell my Children when they were leaving the house in their teen years, “Remember what you are and who you are”. As a Christian you are someone special before God, you are called to be someone special as well. God the Father is calling you to be a saint, act like a saint, make an impression as a saint in this dark world. I sat with a man yesterday, met him for the first time, may never see him again, and I had one opportunity to make an impressing. What did I leave him with? Did he learn that I am a hunter, or a sports fan, or a car guy, what did I leave him with? Nothing wrong with hunting, sports, or cars, but I needed to and hope I did leave him with the impression that I am a Christian, that I represent Jesus Christ, I needed to be a saint before him. Those who paths you crossed yesterday, what did they notice about you? Called to be saints is a serious thing.