Roman Recipients
Paul here addresses his audience - it is to "all" that comprise the church in Rome. Then he goes on to describe these individuals starting first with the fact that they were "beloved of God". It is always important for us to remember that first and foremost, we are loved by the incredible God of the universe. That alone is enough. We should need no more than that alone to find our significance and sufficiency in this life. As a product of His love, Paul points out for the third time in these seven verses that God has "called" us to be saints. Again, it is important that we understand the calling of God and the life He has called us to. We are to be saints in this world - those set apart and separated as vessels fit for the Master's use. In order to be and do this it is important that we are constant recipients of what comes next: Grace and Peace from God. Does this passage describe our lives? Do we understand our calling as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ? Or are we living with one foot in heaven and one foot in the world? The grace and peace to live the life God has called us to is available, if we will just receive it.
