Playback speed
Romans 1.7 NLT
'I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.'
Paul’s letter to the church in Rome is sometimes described as the Gospel according to Paul. It’s not a bad description because in this letter he gives the fullest explanation of his understanding of the Good News of Jesus. Paul never met Jesus during his earthly ministry but his miraculous meeting with Jesus on the Road to Damascus turned his life upside down and from that moment on he lived for Jesus and sought to encourage others to do the same.
Paul began his letter by explaining that he had been called by God and was a slave to Jesus. Paul had an incredibly tough ministry but it was founded upon the complete security of his relationship with God. That’s what sustained him when he was imprisoned, stoned, shipwrecked, mocked, accused and betrayed. As foster carers my wife and I often reflect on the importance of attachment, that is to say the relationship which a child has with their parent or carer. Everything flows from the presence or absence of that secure attachment. It is exactly the same in the Christian life. As we form a strong and secure relationship with God we are able, like Paul, to face any challenge or disappointment.
In today’s verse Paul addresses the members of the church in Rome. It was probably only a small group of people and they were living in the heart of the great Roman empire where their beliefs would have been completely alien to the majority of people. Every day would have been a struggle. So Paul reminds them of their secure attachment to God. They were not only loved but also called by God. Whatever opposition they might face they were safe in God’s hands for time and eternity. However you are feeling today, look to God and remind yourself that you are both loved and called by him.
Question: How will it affect your life today to know that you are both loved and called by God?
Prayer: Loving Father, thank you that you love us and have called us to be a holy people. Amen
Released on 6 Jan 2022
Romans 1.9 NLT 'God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.' Prayer is a blessing in every way. It is the way in w...
Romans 1:16 'I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes – the Jew first and also the Gentile.' We are told that the apostle Paul had a particularly unimpressive appearance. A...
Romans 1:17 'This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith.' I once heard about a group of rowdy young people who had too much time on their hands and decided that it would be...
You’re almost there! To access this content
A world of great Christian audio is just around the corner
We are SO excited to announce the return of Premier Christmas radio for a second year running! It's finally time to get festive with our pop-up Christmas radio station. Allow us to fill your days with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love this winter with our carefully crafted Christmas radio. Listen Now