Purpose: Obedient to the Faith
Romans: 1: 1-7
Paul’s introduction to
the Romans reveals the purpose of Paul’s life.
I see the apostle Paul as a man of passion. Before his conversion, Paul passionately
pursued to punish and wipe out all Christians.
In Acts 9:1 and 2, “And Saul, yet breathing out threats and slaughter
against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and desired of him
letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way,
whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” But, he was stopped with the bright light
from God, and, after hearing the voice of Jesus, Paul’s passion changed from
destroying Christians to spreading the gospel of Christ. Paul faithfully shared the way to the true gospel to many Gentile nations. Now, as Paul begins his letter to the Romans,
he shares “the way.”
Paul starts the letter with calling himself a “servant of Jesus Christ.” A servant or slave serves his master, and Jesus Christ is his master, the one who “called Paul to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.” Before Paul’s conversion, he was a Pharisee, and he was most likely in Jerusalem when Jesus was crucified. The Hebrew for Pharisee is to separate or depart from. (https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/pharisees/) A Pharisee stayed away from anything considered impure by the Levitical Law. Paul, the Pharisee, obeyed the Levitical Law and the direction of the Pharisees. As a Christian, Paul lived by the gospel of God and served as the first missionary to the Gentiles.
After introducing himself, Paul described his master, Jesus Christ. God’s Son, Jesus Christ, was promised in past times as written in by the prophets. What did the prophets write? In Jeremiah 23: 5 the Lord says, “I will raise unto David a righteous branch.” Then, in Isaiah 9: 7, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth even forever.” Paul continues with the power of Jesus, “the power, according to the spirit of holiness.” Yes, Jesus was holy, the one without sin who was crucified for our sins. Yet, crucified, Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and through Jesus, “we have received grace and apostleship.”
Now, after introducing himself and describing Jesus Christ, Paul shares his purpose which should be within the heart of every Christian. Paul was obedient to the faith. “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are you also called of Jesus Christ.” Note that Paul does not say “me” or “I.” As Paul writes to the Christians at Rome, he tells them “we have received grace and apostleship.” WE “for obedience to the faith” for the name of Christ are to be a part of sharing the gospel to all nations. Do WE just write checks to send others? Yes, WE send others to other nations, but WE are to share in the nation we live. WE are all called to serve. For obedience to the faith, “you are also called of Jesus Christ: to all that is in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints.” Paul’s purpose is to serve and obey God’s call to spread the gospel.
Let this be our purpose. Let us strive to serve and be obedient to the
faith.Paul starts the letter with calling himself a “servant of Jesus Christ.” A servant or slave serves his master, and Jesus Christ is his master, the one who “called Paul to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.” Before Paul’s conversion, he was a Pharisee, and he was most likely in Jerusalem when Jesus was crucified. The Hebrew for Pharisee is to separate or depart from. (https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/pharisees/) A Pharisee stayed away from anything considered impure by the Levitical Law. Paul, the Pharisee, obeyed the Levitical Law and the direction of the Pharisees. As a Christian, Paul lived by the gospel of God and served as the first missionary to the Gentiles.
After introducing himself, Paul described his master, Jesus Christ. God’s Son, Jesus Christ, was promised in past times as written in by the prophets. What did the prophets write? In Jeremiah 23: 5 the Lord says, “I will raise unto David a righteous branch.” Then, in Isaiah 9: 7, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth even forever.” Paul continues with the power of Jesus, “the power, according to the spirit of holiness.” Yes, Jesus was holy, the one without sin who was crucified for our sins. Yet, crucified, Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and through Jesus, “we have received grace and apostleship.”
Now, after introducing himself and describing Jesus Christ, Paul shares his purpose which should be within the heart of every Christian. Paul was obedient to the faith. “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are you also called of Jesus Christ.” Note that Paul does not say “me” or “I.” As Paul writes to the Christians at Rome, he tells them “we have received grace and apostleship.” WE “for obedience to the faith” for the name of Christ are to be a part of sharing the gospel to all nations. Do WE just write checks to send others? Yes, WE send others to other nations, but WE are to share in the nation we live. WE are all called to serve. For obedience to the faith, “you are also called of Jesus Christ: to all that is in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints.” Paul’s purpose is to serve and obey God’s call to spread the gospel.
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