Today's Passage - Romans 1:5-7

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Romans 1:5-7   "Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name's sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ."   We are called to belong to Jesus Christ, which is our title as Christians. In this generation it is very popular for people to carry their business cards around which not only present names but titles such as general manager, engineer, secretary, pastor or evangelist as well.  However, very few people would add onto their business cards such a line as "called to belong to Jesus Christ", or as written in verse 7 "called to be His holy people", which is actually our true title. In fact, this title is above all other titles, because one's title on earth is always changing. Today you may be a staff member, but tomorrow you may become a manager. Nevertheless, your title as "called to be His holy people" never changes.        This also corresponds to what Paul meant in verse 5 "through him we received grace and apostleship". We first received grace, then apostleship. We are first His holy people, then his apostles. We first belong to Christ, then we receive the assignment. This truth once again reminds us of the preciousness of our title as His holy people. Sometimes we only think of our assignment and how we should work for God, while overlooking our title as God's children. That explains why it is getting harder and harder for us to be Christians, even to a point that there is more hardship than joy for us, for we only think of endless ministries. In fact, God expects us to first enjoy His love, therefore Paul talked about "all who are loved by God and called to be his holy people". We are loved by God and called to be His holy people first, then to be his apostles. Love comes first, then followed by assignment. This order or priority is very important. Only in love, your ministry will never become a formality; you will never be too discouraged to pray; you can run from strength to strength. Are you feeling tired from running in your ministry? Let's turn back to the Lord to readjust the priority in our lives so that we can experience once again His love. May His love renew us as well.                                                                          Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we thank you because you love us first so we may belong to you. Your love never changes. Many times we were so busy in our ministries that we became unaware of your love. May the Lord turn us back to You. May your love renew us once again. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen.