Peacemakers Daily Devotional
Scripture:
… Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and
apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among
all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, to all those
in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:4-7, ESV, emphasis
mine)
Thoughts
We are “called to belong” and “called to be.” So many Christians only feel they
are called to do. We may even frequently ask ourselves, “What am I supposed to
do today? Have I prayed and read my Bible? Have I shared my faith with
someone? Am I operating out of kindness?” Yes, the by-product of being is
doing, but I want to remind you first that you are then I will affirm that we are also
to do. When you are truly transformed, when you are truly a new person, when
you are, then you will do. You belong to Jesus Christ. You are called to be a
saint. You are set apart.
An apple doesn’t work at being an apple; it is an apple; therefore, it “does apple.”
A cow doesn’t focus on doing cow behavior; it is a cow; therefore, it does cow
behavior. Some Christians try to do Christianity as if they are fighting internally to
be a Christian and to live in Christian behavior. But for all who believe in Jesus,
the fact is that we are saints by faith. Because you are a Christ-follower, you
have been appointed as a saint. In verse 7, the Greek has two words: klētós,
"called” or “appointed,” and hágios, “saint” or “holy.” In Jesus, you are an
appointed saint. In Jesus, you are called holy.
Now, let’s look at what Paul instructed the believers in Ephesus to do: “For we
are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10, ESV). So
let’s bring all these ideas together. Believers are called holy, called to belong,
and created to do the works God has prepared for us.
Application
Since we are, since we belong, since we also are created to do, we get to
operate in the fullness of what God has for our relationships. When you
understand your newness in Jesus, it helps you to forgive and walk in humility.
You will do so much more with Jesus than trying to do it for Jesus.
Prayer
Jesus, I thank you for calling me to belong. I am your follower. Please help me to
know you fully, to experience all of my identity that I have in you…. (Continue
praying.)
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