Slaves of Christ

Romans 1:1  “Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,”

I would like to point out three truths from this text.

First, Paul knew exactly who he was.

Paul knew he was a slave of the Lord’s.   He knew he was purchased and therefore owned by his new master.    He explains this in his epistle to the church at Corinth when he writes, “our bodies are not our own, they have been bought with a price.”

Second, Paul knew what his Master purchased him for. 

The Lord had not only purchased Paul to save him from eternal separation from God, but he purchased him so that he could use him in a specific way.  Paul was going to me a messenger. 

Thirdly, Paul knew his Master’s plan for his life. 

Paul was a slave who had one purpose.  That purpose was to be a messenger of the gospel of God.  Therefore, Paul’s new life was to be dedicated to learning His Master’s plan and sharing it with others.

 The 19^th century theologian Philip Schaff sums up this section of scripture by writing “… Paul was selected from the world, singled out, consecrated to, and destined for the gospel service, at the time of his conversion.”

The understanding and application of these three truths kept Paul focused and in the will of God.    I believe if we as Christians understand and apply these three truths in our own lives then we too will be focused and will continually be in the will of God.