We are looking at Romans 1, the greeting of a letter written by Paul to the church in Rome where he hoped to visit. He is introducing himself. The Roman church might have had many characteristics like our urban churches that are multicultural, multilingual, and hence facing the challenge of maturing Christians that have diverse backgrounds and beliefs. I suspect it is similar to people marrying from different ethnicities or even different areas of the States. We can find food for our lives! Paul’s introduction might be somehow similar to me introducing my “date” to my parents who had not met him and who had their own ideas of what someone raised in Kenya might be like. I suspect that in that back of their minds were questions about his intentions. Paul writes to the church in Rome and first says he is “a slave of Christ Jesus” but then he continues on to identify himself as “called to be an apostle.”
We can find his experience of being “called” in Acts 9 that tells how he encountered a bright light and voice on the road to Damascus. For Paul who was formerly called Saul and who was committed to eliminating Christians, it was a life changing experience, personal and direct. “This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. (Acts 9:15)” Paul is not volunteering but understands himself to be sent by God to tell others about the Gospel of the promised Messiah from the line of David and divine as proved by his resurrection. Paul clearly opens his letter identifying himself and intentions, credentials, for desiring a meeting with the Christians in Rome.
We thought last week what title we might use to describe our relationship to Christ Jesus. Most of us would not say slave. Also most of us would probably feel a bit squeamish to tell another we feel “called” to share the gospel with them. We prefer a more friendly approach, not so formal. So let’s ponder today what might draw us into a conversation where we would share our core beliefs about reality. Might it be: concern for the other’s eternal security, or a direct question about our belief, or a life threatening medical issue, or perhaps a counseling session to clarify a cloudy situation, and for students it could be a course on world religions. I ponder how often I share just because I am so grateful for the difference God has made in my life and it just bubbles over in my conversation. An attitude of gratitude is always contagious. Blessings and may you have eyes to see God blessing your day!
On the Way to Wonder 