We are called - Romans 1:1-7 Called to Belong to Christ

One of the doctrines that has divided Christendom, is the one on predestination. We are the children of God because God has chosen and called us (election), or we responded to the call and as a resulted we were chosen (free will). These two concepts are central to many theological debates, particularly between Calvinist (predestination-focused) and Arminian (free will-focused) traditions in Christianity. Each tradition tries to reconcile God’s sovereignty with human responsibility in different ways. I must say that there are brilliant theologians on both sides of the divide. But let’s leave it to the big minds to debate and argue. I think we will only know the answer when we get to the other side.

But whatever your persuasion on this subject may be, I am glad that this does not determine our salvation. 

For this devotion, I want to consider the kind of calling that the Apostle Paul is talking about in Romans 1.

As you would have read from the text, Paul begins this letter by addressing his vocation, “being chosen or called to be an apostle”. Part of that vocation was to preach the gospel to the gentiles, which the apostle did to the best of his ability and evangelized the then known world. What an achievement.!!!

But as we continue to read the remaining verses, we can conclude that Paul is not suggesting that the vocation is the starting point in the calling to the Christian life.

Let us unpack this.  

The first calling in the Christian life is the call to belong to Jesus. In verse 6, Paul writes:

And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

While there is a strong emphasis in today’s church about knowing and fulfilling our purpose in life, we must not forget that the first and the fundamental calling for a Christian is to have a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to belong to him.

When put in proper perspective, this dimension puts everything else in a secondary position. What happens for some of us is that we are too engrossed in our vocation, be it a pastor, or any ministry in our church or mission, we lose the notion that our primary calling is to have a personal relationship with our Lord. The result is, we know all about God but void of an intimate personal relationship. 

Ultimately, a relationship with God is a dynamic journey that involves ongoing growth, deepening understanding, and an increasing awareness of His love and presence. It’s a journey that not only changes the believer but also invites them to experience the fullness of life as God intended.

This involves understanding who God is, recognizing His love and holiness, and trusting in His promises.  It is also marked by shared presence, and with God, this comes through both quiet moments of devotion and during everyday life. Believers often feel God’s closeness in their hearts, His guidance in decisions, and His comfort in struggles.

That is why our daily devotion and quiet time with the Lord is so crucial for us to grow in that intimate relationship. It's a daily relationship of walking with the Lord and hearing His voice. It is growing in intimacy with our Creator. 

to be continued.....