Romans 1:1-17
Be Still: Lord Jesus, as I wait for you to speak to me today, would you fill me with your peace, centre my mind on your Word, and send me out into what you have in store for me.
Read: Romans 1:1-17
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God – the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures (v1,2)
Encounter: I was recently explaining to someone that, whilst the Bible is made up of incredibly diverse literature, it tells one overarching story that reaches its climax with Jesus. I told them how, for example, the story of Abraham and Isaac, is not a strange standalone near-death experience. But rather, it foreshadows the moment when God the Father would provide the sacrifice needed to heal us and our world – his own Son – an event that wouldn’t happen for a few thousand years after Abraham.
As I was describing how this smaller story fits into the bigger story, the beauty of it hit me all over again. It’s crazy, right? The idea that God has used hundreds of human voices over thousands of years in different times and in different cultures to weave his plans and purposes and to tell the story of our salvation.
It's almost like Paul can’t believe it either as he realises that Israel’s scriptures have been leading to Jesus the whole time and are now fulfilled in his death and resurrection: ‘the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures.’ (Romans 1:2) Again: ‘Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.’ (1Corinthians 15:3) And in Galatians 3:8, Paul points out that God announced the gospel in advance to Abraham.
It's beautiful. But it’s not a story to just admire. It’s a story that we have been chosen to participate in. Paul says in Romans 1:1 that he has been ‘set apart for the gospel of God.’ He knows that God has called him, and he is actively taking part in God’s story.
Apply: What does it mean for me to be a participant in God’s story and not just a recipient of it? In what ways has God chosen me to participate in his unfolding story?
Devote: Lord, I want to play my part in your unfolding story. I don’t want to miss what you’re doing and how you want to use me. Please show me how I can participate in your story today.