Set Apart for the Gospel - The Crosswalk Devotional - September 7
The Crosswalk Devotional
Audio By Carbonatix
By Laura Bailey, Crosswalk.com
Set Apart for the Gospel
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—” - Romans 1:1 NIV
I love getting mail, don’t you? Who doesn’t enjoy receiving a letter from a friend or family member, especially one filled with encouragement, love, and words of affirmation? Better known as “snail mail,” letters are considered an outdated form of communication by most.
Now, we converse through 280-word text limits and a series of emojis. A champion for the written word, I still pen letters, dotting my “i’s” with a heart, underlining important words, and using way too many exclamation marks! I am convinced that holding a handwritten letter from a loved one is one of the best feelings in the world.
It’s an instant morale booster, and often, the sender’s words feel like they were delivered straight from the Lord. They were just what my heart needed to hear. Letters remind the recipient that someone cared enough about them to write a message they needed to hear. And that’s precisely the heart behind Paul’s letter to the new believers in the church of Rome, encouraging them in their faith.
Romans is a letter to early Christians in Rome, following the historical custom of greeting, identification of the author, identification of the recipient, and the reason for writing. Paul shares that he is a servant, or slave, to the gospel. In the original Greek text, the word "servant" implies someone who sold themselves into servanthood for some time. By describing himself in this way, Paul is telling his audience that he doesn’t consider his life his own—Christ owns him. And for what purpose? To share the gospel message! Paul has given up everything to fully commit his life to sharing the gospel and encouraging other believers.
Why was it so important for Paul to list out his qualifications? We read in Acts 9 that Paul, formerly called Saul, was the chief persecutor of Christians. While on the road to Damascus, the Lord called him to repent and then go and share the gospel with the Gentiles. Paul’s life was a living testimony to the power of the gospel to change lives.
Paul was the perfect person to share the message of salvation and how God uses our stories for His glory. Paul was persecuting and killing the very people he was now ministering to and encouraging in their faith. These people were a little wary of this man, and rightly so. Paul understood his words could be received with some apprehension, so he explained to the Romans how his life had been changed, not because of what he had done but because of what Christ had done and was continuing to do in his life. In faithful obedience, Paul made it his mission to share the good news with everyone everywhere (Romans 1:5).
And that’s what the book of Romans is all about: sharing the good news of the Gospel for both salvation and encouragement. Paul will spend the rest of his letter presenting the message of the gospel and explaining why it is essential, not just for salvation, but for every day of believers' lives. The compassion and concern that Paul has for this early church is palpable; he has made it his life’s mission to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge of God’s Word. He understands the sense of urgency; souls are at stake, there is no time to waste, and every day is an opportunity to share that God loves them and has made a way for them to be saved from eternal damnation.
When I was in seminary, one of our assignments was to write a letter to someone whom we knew was not saved. The person I knew God wanted me to reach out to was a dear friend; yet, I procrastinated, almost forgoing the assignment altogether. I was so worried that she would be offended or wouldn’t speak to me again, which would cause a significant rift in our relationship. I deeply loved her friendship and cared about the state of her soul, yet I struggled to send the letter. Guilt-ridden, I shared my reluctance with my pastor, to which he assured me, I am not the only person who has felt apprehension in sharing the gospel with friends and loved ones.
As I reflect on these words from Paul, it wasn’t always easy for him to share the gospel, but he cared more about people’s eternal state than his comfort. I eventually sent the letter, but she never responded, and that was okay. Like Paul, I wasn’t responsible for her response to the gospel; only God can convict and open hearts to receiving His truth. However, we can be His servant, as we set ourselves apart for the gospel.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Is there someone today who needs to hear the gospel message? Ask God to help you discern the best way to share the good news with them.
Further Reading:
Romans 1:16
Romans 10:14
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/doidam10
Laura Bailey is an author and Bible teacher who encourages women to understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply biblical truths to their lives. Her recent book, Embracing Eternity in the Here and Now, explores how the timeless truths of Ecclesiastes help us live more peaceful, purposeful, and plentiful lives today.
She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and three young girls, where she serves as director of women's ministries at her church. Her passion is teaching the Bible to women, equipping them to live with an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at your next event or learn more: www.LauraRBailey.com
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