“Paul, a bondservant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,” Romans 1:1.
Before computers and text messages, letters were some of the most common methods of written communication. Often referred to as snail mail due to the amount of time it took to receive a letter (3-5 business days), there was nothing better than being the recipient of one.
Unfolding the paper, examining the handwriting, enjoying the words written just for you brought excitement regardless of whether it was from a friend or an institution. Everyone in the house became curious. They wanted to know who sent it.
What did the letter say? And, if left unguarded, the letter would be read by a noisy intruder and placed it neatly back in its original position as if it was never touched.
I can still recall my excitement when applying for college and the expectations of receiving their responses. With a simple stroke of a pen their words became a keepsake, or a letter destined for the trash can. The opening lines said it all, “Dear Miss Hughes, we are sorry to inform you…” or “Dear Miss Hughes, Congratulations…” In a few words I knew the writer’s purpose for writing. Each letter was direct and carried the weight of what came next ─ acceptance or rejection.
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Just as letters have shaped our lives, biblical letters played an important role in transforming lives throughout history. One example is Paul’s letters to the Romans delivered by Phoebe intended to tell how all people have fallen short and need a Savior. Like the postal service, Phoebe traveled hundreds of miles, most likely by land and sea to deliver Paul’s letter. With the similar get-to-the-point style that colleges responded to me, the readers in Romans would quickly learn the reality of Paul’s letter ─ Jesus and Paul’s call to service.
Read Romans 1:1-7: “Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles in behalf of His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The first clause of the salutation kicks off a deep understanding about Paul. No longer is he a persecutor of Christians (Acts 8:1-3), he says, I am “Paul, a bondservant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.”
By calling himself a bondservant Paul is announcing his servanthood to Christ and his selection as a personal representative to spread the gospel. Through his calling, Paul has wholeheartedly surrendered his life and purpose to Christ. He no longer wants to stone, crucify, and kill Christians. He wants to be one. Raised up to be a proud Pharisee of the Law, now he is a bondslave saved by faith, and not the law.
He was blind, but now he sees. He was specially called [invited to a function] and set apart [to separate as in behavior, study, service, teaching the gospel] by Jesus, on the road to Damacus, as an apostle. Now and forever, his allegiance is to Christ. What a change!
The first verse testifies to who Paul pledges his allegiance to, Christ Jesus. We learn that Christ means the Anointed One [or Messiah] and is the title of the One promised by God to be the redemptive plan for mankind.
“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel (meaning God is with us),” Isaiah 7:14.
We also know that Jesus means Savior. And, by combining the title of Jesus with his proper name we receive truths about the anointed One sent by God to save us. His name preaches to His purpose, authority, His humanity, and divinity.
As we continue to read, we see Paul setting the stage with the right balance of introduction about himself and the Gospel. Paul needed his readers to know that he didn’t self-appoint himself, he was Jesus-appointed with authority like the 12 apostles were hand selected. This selection took place on the Damacus Road. He was called by Jesus; not while Jesus was still alive but Acts 9:3-6 describes Jesus’ presence as a blinding light.
Paul emphasizies the big picture God wants us to know about eternal fellowship with Him. It was started in the Garden of Eden and is being restored through Jesus who came from David’s family line and proven to be God’s Son with power when He rose from the dead. Even Jeremiah 23:5-6 says “… the time is coming says the Lord, when I will place a righteous Branch upon King David’s throne. He shall be a King who shall rule with wisdom and justice and cause righteousness to prevail everywhere throughout the earth. And this is his name: The Lord Our Righteousness. At that time Judah will be saved and Israel will live in peace.”
We haven’t even read the whole letter, and we have learned so much about the Gospel. This tells me that it doesn’t take much to be a witness. With just the right tone we can swiftly let people know who we are and what we represent.
As a closing example, one day, I greeted a woman in an elevator by saying, “Hello, how are you doing?”
She responded that she was blessed, to which I replied, “And highly favored.” With a departing “Have a blessed day,” this unscripted elevator pitch, became a simple Gospel introduction, declaring that we are the objects of God’s favor and blessing that everyone in the elevator could hear. This brief exchange reminds me that anyone can share the Gospel in an introduction ─ naturally and with little effort.
Thought For Today: Sow what the Holy Spirit gives you and leave the fruit-bearing to Him.
Brenette Wilder, formerly of Altheimer, Ark., is a blogger at wordstoinspire105953116.wordpress.com and author of Netted Together.
Editor’s note: Pastors, ministers or other writers interested in writing for this section may submit articles for consideration to shope@adgnewsroom.com. Writers should have connections to Southeast Arkansas. Please include your name, phone number and the name and location of your church or ministry.