45롬 1; 1-6 부르심을 입은 자들2

[Romans 1:1] Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—
[Romans 1:2] the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures
[Romans 1:3] regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David,
[Romans 1:4] and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
[Romans 1:5] Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.
[Romans 1:6] And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

As human beings, we all have a sense of identity, meaning, and purpose that guides us in our lives. But when that sense of self is shaken, we can find ourselves in a crisis of identity. In those moments, it's important to remind ourselves of who we are and what we stand for. In today's passage, the apostle Paul describes his own sense of identity in these words:
"[Romans 1:1] Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God."
Paul knew exactly who he was and what he was called to do. His sense of identity as a servant of Christ and an apostle was a source of strength and resilience for him, especially in times of suffering and hardship. But his calling was not just a personal matter - it had a much greater significance. Without his calling, Paul's life would have been meaningless. And at the heart of that calling was the gospel of Jesus Christ.
"[Romans 1:2] This gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures."
We are called to live our lives according to the gospel that was promised in the scriptures, which is all about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This is the foundation of our identity as followers of Christ, and it is what sets us apart as people who seek to do God's will.

However, there was a purpose to his calling, and that was to preach the gospel. The gospel was the story of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. For this purpose, Paul received his calling and had work to do within it. Without work to do even with a calling, our lives suddenly become meaningless. We experience serious confusion of identity in the midst of that.
The Apostle Paul did not experience such confusion. He was able to focus on his work because he knew what he had to do. His job was to testify to and teach the gospel according to his calling. He explained the gospel specifically: "Regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." In this explanation, he was solidifying his own identity.
However, Paul's confession is not only applicable to Paul himself. It applies to us as well. God has called us and given us work to do. As Christians, it is our job to testify to and live out the gospel. God has called each of us in our own way and has given us each work to do. In this, we are living as children of God and as Christians. God has made us people who can testify, boast, and introduce God to others.

We are spokespersons, ambassadors, and messengers of God who proclaim and introduce Him. If introducing and guiding a great president is respectful, how much more valuable is the position of being an emissary and messenger of God who is great beyond measure? Moreover, God does not leave those who carry out such a mission alone. In Paul's blessing, we can discover the amazing gift that God gives to His children. God loves us, calls us saints, and gives us grace and peace. This is the most fundamental and basic benefit we receive from the Lord. As we live, we will enjoy greater grace and peace. And in His kingdom, we will receive complete grace and peace. Let us not forget who we are, remembering the love of God who loves us. So, I pray that we may always live in His grace and peace, and remain strong in it.