A Time of Uncertainty

O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
2 Chronicles 20:12-13 KJV

How many times have I come to a crossroad and find myself asking, “Now what?” Too many times to number.

The problem with this is that I asked myself this question. I am in the situation and yet I question myself as if I could gain some instantaneous over arching understanding and come up with a solution. If I proceed with my choice, I oftentimes find myself in a bigger hole without a rope.

However, if I were to ask someone who did have more knowledge and insight than myself, then a better resolution could be found and followed. Who better to ask than the Creator of all things, the LORD of all?

The Calling

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:1-7 KJV

I spent this morning reviewing my reading of the beginning of Romans. I was struck by Paul’s use of the work ‘called’. He first references himself and then uses the word to identify the readers of the letter as being called.

The underlying Greek word is the same in all three cases: kletos. It means invited or appointed. Paul indicates his calling was to be an apostle or ambassador. He then indicates that the reader – the Romans and ourselves – are called of Jesus. We are called to Jesus through the receiving of His “grace ands apostleship” through obedience or rather submission to His will.

He has appointed us to be saints. The word used for ’saints’ also means ‘holy one’ or sacred. We are invited to be set apart for His will.

I find in these verses a distinctive calling to be His. Set aside. His ambassador. We are invited to this task – chosen for His purpose. What an amazing opportunity to be used by Him.

What is a Bondservant?

A Bondservant

When I first began thinking about creating this website, I began praying for guidance. For the last month a single topic has been permeating my heart: being a servant – in particular, a bondservant. From this topic, the vision for this entire site came forth. And so, this first article is about this topic: on being a Bondservant.

I always like to start with the basics and the most basic I can get to is the individual word. Bondservant is a compound word, so let’s break it up…

Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:1-7 KJV

The introduction of a book gives much insight and prepares the reader for the tone of what lies ahead. The name of Paul itself gives a description of who he is. Paul means “little or small” in Greek. Paul identified himself in lesser and lesser terms in later books.

Paul calls himself a “servant of Jesus Christ” (or bondservant) which indicates his view of his association with Jesus – a self-identified, self-dedicated slave of Jesus Christ.

Paul also indicates that he was called (invited or appointed) to be an apostle (an ambassador) of Jesus. This calling came on him on the road to Damascus where he came to know Jesus.

He continues by stating that he was separated or set aside for the gospel of God – the good news – which was promised through the prophets by God. This good news was about Jesus who Paul identifies as God’s son and by right our Lord. Paul then identifies Jesus’ human lineage by identifying him as a descendent of David. Then Paul gives Jesus’ spiritual lineage through the declaration of the Holy Spirit and the resurrection from the dead.

Finally, Paul identifies to whom the letter is written: to believers in Jesus Christ (with the attributes thereof) in Rome.

As an introduction, Paul identifies himself, his relationship to Jesus and his readers relationship to Jesus. In doing so, he links himself to them as family and greets them as such.