"Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, who was declared with power to be the Son of God by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name's sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:1-7).
Whew, St. Paul's intro to the Book of Romans is a long sentence! So much can be said about this intro. But look at the word "called."
Three times the apostle uses that word here. Paul wrote he was called to be an apostle (v.1). He is charged with calling all nations ("Gentiles") to the faith, including the Romans. They are the called of Jesus Christ along with others and called to be saints (lit. holy ones) (vv. 6,7).
If you, dear reader, are a true believer (saint, holy one), know that your call to salvation comes from God alone. It is a life-changing, eternity-changing gift. This call to holiness is one that God accomplishes in you by the gift of faith in the work of Jesus Christ. You can't manufacture it with any of the scrape pieces of goodness left over from your sin. Rather, God provides it to you freely.
The call of God in Jesus is a forever joy to our ears!
-Dale
