Belonging Through Grace and Peace
There doesn't seem to be much in these two verses - and I'm not about to try and build a huge doctrinal point from here either. But there are a few things that I've noticed, and that's what this series of mine is all about - Observations on the text.
I note that Paul says the Roman Christians are among those who are called to belong to Jesus. Aside from the never ending debate on predestination, there's something important here. I think if more of us understood that we are called (however God does it is beside the point!) then we do have a place to belong - God's Kingdom!
We are called, we belong, we are part of something far, far bigger than ourselves - the eternal Kingdom! Beyond that - we belong to a PERSON - JESUS CHRIST! It doesn't get much better than that!
Then in verse 7 Paul repeats the called motif and then used two of his favorite words - grace and peace. While these words were a part of traditional letter openings, I don't believe Paul was simply being polite. I don't think he ever talked about Grace without referring to our incredible salvation due to Christ's amazing grace!
And of course peace is a direct by product of God's Grace!
Just a few thoughts on two verses that really don't have much to say!!
;-)
Created almost 3 years ago
