Today's Passage - Romans 1:1

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Romans 1:1   "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God..."   The Book of Romans is a treasury box filled with the truth.  Martin Luther has once described it as the path that leads to heaven, and John Wesley said that his heart went on fire when he read the book.  Indeed, the truth spelled out in the Book of Romans shows us the way to be born again, become victorious and eventually receive glory.  Paul first called himself "servant of Christ Jesus" because we were redeemed by Christ at a great price.  We used to be servants of sin, but because we were redeemed by Christ so that we would not do whatever we wish, we have become servants of the Lord.  Pastors are just servants of God, not because we are better, but it's only possible by the grace of God.  In such grace, we shall not forget that we are the servants of the Lord and we should live by the will of the Lord.   Next, Paul said that he was "called to be an apostle," and the calling came from God.  In fact, each of us is called by God's grace even though we take on different roles, and that's why the Bible often calls us saints who are called by God.  To Paul, his calling was to become an apostle; some might have been called by God to serve Him on his job, to enter full-time ministry, to become a lay minister, or to be a housewife.  No matter what you do, you must do it as if you are responding to God's calling, and your life will be different.  A housewife gave the testimony on how she posted a note in front of the range hood - "I serve the Lord here three times a day."  She genuinely understood the concept of calling.   Do you know that you are called by the grace of God?  Once you remember this truth, you life will be turned around.  When you know you are called to be an usher, you will be a different usher; when you know you are called to teach your children, your family's atmosphere will be turned around.  Brothers and sisters, are you willing to live like one who is called by God starting today?                                                                          Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, I thank you for being the Lord who is graceful and merciful.  Please open my heart so that I may understand how precious your calling is.  I also ask the Lord to help me live like someone who's called, and let me manifest the grace of your calling in everything I do.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!