A STUDY IN ROMANS
Romans 1
Paul identified himself in verse 1 as a BOND SERVANT, not as a preacher, teacher or any other title that would have elevated him above whomever he was going to talk to or write to. Paul understood that in following Christ Jesus there is no distinction between followers, that titles are man made and can separate one from another. By identifying as a bond servant Paul was telling them and us that he had been redeemed at a price, and that he knew it.
When we look at the history of Paul we see that this is a 100% complete change over for him. Remember how Paul aka Saul went about persecuting followers of Christ? Saul was a strict upholder of the Laws or Moses. He stood to enforce the Torah (books of the law). Saul was intelligent, trained, and dedicated to the church (Temple Priests). If they felt threatened they would call on him to protect them. Now, here he is, in a different light, a different mind set.
Paul also identified himself as an apostle, set apart, for the Gospel of God. GALATIANS 1:15&16 15 But when He who had set me apart, even from my Mothers womb, and called me through His Grace, Was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I Might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not Immediately consult with flesh and blood,
Now, we know that Saul, on the road to Damascus, had an encounter with the Risen Christ and that he went to the house of Judas {Acts 9:11} where he was met by Ananias, who was sent by God to heal Saul’s eyes. Then God sent Saul by way of the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for the span of 3 years to be taught by God Himself. Imagine, getting taught by the Mouth of Almighty God, the One called the Wisdom of the Ages, the Most Holy One. It was there in the wilderness that God changed his name from Saul to Paul.
Notice in Galatians Paul writes that when it PLEASED GOD He revealed Christ IN Paul. Why did God want Saul to go to the wilderness first before meeting up with other Apostles and Disciples? God knows the hearts of man, and how man is evil from birth, and that man can and will twist God’s Word for their own benefit. So, the Wise One wanted to teach Saul Himself so that there would be no confusion as to what God wants him to do. Then when the three years were up God directed Paul to Jerusalem to meet up with Cephas.
In verse 2 Paul writes, that in continuation of verse one, that God had PROMISED the revelation of His Son in the holy scriptures before hand. Meaning that long before Saul was born God established this revelation, and not only for Saul, but for any and all who call upon the Name of Christ Jesus with their WHOLE HEART! Have you done this yet? Perhaps you might have slipped away from the relationship you had with the Lord and need to return to that relationship, return to your FIRST LOVE! If that is the case;
PRAY THIS PRAYER
Heavenly Father I come asking that You have mercy on me, And redeem me back into Your Loving Arms and Family. I ask that You might Reveal Your Son IN ME just like You Did with Saul/Paul. Speak to me Your Plan for my life that I not wander astray.
I ask all of this in the Name of Your Only Begotten Son
JESUS CHRIST AMEN!