I am old enough to remember when we received letters and cards in the mail. I could not wait to receive a Birthday card from my Granny Wood. She always remembered my birthday and she always put a 1 dollar bill in the card. I felt so special. I was not the only one she did this for. She sent cards to all of her grandkids and great grandkids. I am sure every one of them felt as special as I did. It was a card of love and encouragement. Think of how much love she had for her grandkids and her great grandkids, then think of the Love, Grace, and Mercy that the God of heaven and earth has for His Beloved! It is a little hard to comprehend isn’t it?
Romans 1:6-7
“Among whom you also are 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.”
Letters of Love and Encouragement
I also remember getting letters in the mail from Roy, who is now my husband. He was in college and I was back at home. We could not see each other often but we could write letters. I remember waiting anxiously for a letter to come. Oh, the expectation and the joy when it finally arrived! I still pull them out at times and read them. They bring back so many good memories!
The entire bible could be called a love letter from God to His Beloved. We are waiting anxiously for Christ to return and take us home with Him, but until that day comes we have the Bible. God’s inspired holy word for us. I hope you cannot wait to get up everyday and sit with your Bible open, God’s words of encouragement, hope, and love, to you!
We know that the apostle Paul is the man who literally penned this letter. But, we also know that he wrote this letter guided by the Holy Spirit. Paul has, without error, written everything down that comes from the heart of God.
Beloved! We are Loved of God!
In this Romans passage Paul uses three adjectives to describe the believers, “The Beloved of God,” in Jesus Christ:
- Called
- Saints
- Beloved
CALLED:
Romans 1:1 and 1:5 teach us that God had a specific call on Paul’s life to serve Him as an apostle. God equipped him with His grace to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the Gentiles.
The same Grace that called and equipped Paul is the same Grace, Beloved, that calls and equips you and me.
Paul’s call was a call of God for a specific vocation. In Paul’s case it was Apostleship. He was called and equipped to lay the foundation of the church by preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the Gentiles and among the Jews. God has equipped each of us with a different vocation. It could be to the work of a mother, a teacher, a writer…etc. God gives gifts to each of us, ‘The Beloved.” God has bestowed these gifts to be used for the edification of the church, the Bride of Christ.
We are not only called to a specific vocation but this calling is what also brought us into fellowship with Jesus Christ. Remember Paul’s “Road to Damascus” experience? If we are a believer in Jesus Christ we have had our own, “Road to Damascus,” experience or calling.
Our calling into salvation and into our vocation is a call to worship. Beloved, along with God’s Amazing grace comes great privilege. But, it also comes with responsibility. A responsibility to go into the church, the world, and our own quiet place with the gospel.
BELOVED:
The Greek word for Beloved is: AGAPETOS from AGAPAO: to love, AGAPE:unconditional love borne by spirit, means beloved, dear, very much-loved.
God the Father repeatedly uses AGAPETOS (beloved) to describe His Son Jesus Christ! He also uses that same word to describe us, His adopted children!!!
Notice that in Romans 1:7 Paul uses the words, “are beloved of God”. The word, “Are” is used in the present tense which indicates we are continually being loved by God. If we have believed and placed our God given faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we are always being loved by God! Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. {Romans 8:35-39} What a great word of love and encouragement!
SAINTS:
Really, I would never refer to myself as a saint. I know myself too well! It’s funny, God knows me better than I know myself and He calls me a saint!
In the context of Romans 1:7 a person who was set apart from the world and consecrated to God is named a saint by God! He makes and declares us sacred, holy, blessed, and sanctified. I am not a saint because of anything that is in me or for anything that I do. God declares that I am a saint through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. That is Amazing Grace! This work of setting apart and sanctification is a work of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, which is accomplished through the work of Jesus Christ.
Beloved, let’s praise and worship God today with the love, the mercy, and the gifts He has given to us!
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, with much love and encouragement.
If you are here and would like to learn more about our Romans Bible study follow this link: The Good News of Grace, Truth, and Redemption
Thanks for sharing such foundational biblical truth, Lisa. Every believer should know exactly where he or she stands in the Lord. It makes such a difference in our lives and perspectives. 🙂
Yes, it does make a big difference. If we do not know exactly where we stand we are either deceived or we do not walk in the Joy of the Lord!There is never a reason for a true believer to walk in defeat! Thank you for your encouragement! I am glad you stopped by:)
Love love love this Aunt Lisa!! Great post! 🙂
Thank you Lizzy! 🙂