DEVOTIONAL: romans 1:1-5
The book of Romans was written from Corinth when Paul was on his third visit to that city.
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Romans 1:1-5 KJV
“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,”
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Servant: A person, male or female, that attends another for the pupose of performing menial offices for him, ot who is employed by another for such offices or for other labor, and is subject to his command; one in a state of subjection
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Paul first knew that His identity was in Christ. He chose to be Christ’s servant.
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To serve is to be in Christ. To give away what He has given you. To serve is to understand what God has done for you and then with a heart of gratitude give Him back what He has given you. It’s from abundance that we serve. Therefore you can do it with all your heart. Because you’re doing it for God and not man. He has given us the cross the free gift of salvation. Give that good message away. As you spend time with Him and He show you more give that away. It's dependance on Him.
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Colossians 3:22-24 NIV
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
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Romans 1:1-5 KJV
“called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)”
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“Separated” or “set apart”
Separated: participle passive Divided; parted; disunited; disconnected.
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Paul was different. Not half in or half out but completely ALL IN! He was different for the sake of the Gospel. He knew His identity was in Christ and therefore different than the world. This was because He knew who God was and who God called him to be. This is different than the dying world.
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Romans 1:1-5 KJV
“Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:”
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We have received grace. We have received apostleship, through Jesus Christ. Through Christ we are saved by grace. We are called to be obedient to the Lord! Obedience is so important. Do what He tells you to(: it’s always the best way! We are His and He wants to use us!
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Grace: Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.
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Romans 11:5-6 NIV
“So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”
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Questions: Have you chosen to be Gods servant? It’s a choice to serve Him. What does it mean to be Gods servant? What does it mean to be set apart? What areas have you been set apart (“different” than the world.) and what areas do you need to be set apart in for the Gospel? Have you been obedient to what God has called you to? Ask The Lord to reveal His heart for you! ☺