Where do I belong?
Romans 1:1-7
1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Here is Paul starting his letter to the Roman Church. A Church built by Peter to a Gentile population. In this opening part of his letter, he links this information to the prophets and scriptures that spoke of the coming Messiah. Jesus is the Messiah and has created a “new world”.
Two words stick out to me in this passage: included and belong.
We who are God’s people, Christ followers are included and belong. No longer was God, the God of just the Jewish nation. God wants us to know that we are part of His family and that we belong. That we have a “seat at His table”. That we have a “voice for Him”. That we are loved, listened to, have a part to play, in His story.
You have been called to belong and our role is to help others see that they belong.
Let’s this Christmas be praying as to who we can share with about our life in Jesus.
Lord Jesus, thank you that I belong and included. That I am part of your family all over the world. Lord, help me to see and reach out to others who are seeking and looking for somewhere to belong and to be included. May they come to know you as their Father, Lord and Saviour. In Jesus name, Amen
Written by Ps. Sue Botta
Have a look at the Bible Project overview of Romans, here, for a great perspective on the first four chapters of Romans.