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People of the Gospel

People choose to be identified with many things. Children identify themselves with the clubs they join, like the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. Some college students choose to be identified with a fraternity or sorority, proudly wearing their Greek letters.

We may identify ourselves with our alma mater, our state, or our country. Some people even identify themselves by their preference in cars. My dad was a “Ford” man, while I was loyal to “Chevy.”

Of course, as Christians, we have a more significant level of identification. Our identity is found in Jesus Christ—we are people of the gospel. As Paul so clearly and assertively identifies himself in the introduction to his letter to the Romans, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (1:16).

What did it mean to Paul, what does it mean to us today, to be identified as men and women of the gospel?

For the apostle Paul, it meant his life was forever changed. Instead of pursuing selfish ambitions, he became focused on things of God. In Romans, Paul identifies himself as “Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called [as] an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.” As the introduction closes, he writes, “Among whom you also are called of Jesus Christ.”

As one “set apart for the gospel,” our lives are marked by our allegiance to Christ. Being a person of the gospel requires courage, faithfulness, and love, and it guarantees victory.

We live in a time where truth is seen as relative. People resist absolutes, particularly the truth of the gospel. I believe that we will be increasingly required to stand up for this truth, to declare our allegiance. As Jesus told Paul, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also” (Acts 23:11).

In addition to courage, our lives must be marked by faithfulness. Paul's life called for endurance. He refused to quit when times were tough. He endured opposition, always with his mind on his calling. Revelation 14:12 states, “Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”

A life set apart for the gospel will be marked by love. We are called to reflect the perfect love of our Savior. Jesus tells His disciples, “Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; abide in my love” (John 15:9).

Finally, people of the Gospel are guaranteed victory. Paul writes in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who is against us?” What greater identity can we claim than to be called men and women of the gospel? Let us follow closely in Christ's footsteps, remaining faithful to the end.

ANOTHER BIG AMEN - BEAUTIFUL!

The Same ALMIGHTY GOD  who was with Paul will be with us. I loved the points you made about identity, absolutes, and TRUTH in CHRIST! The world can't stand any of this, but that's all the more reason for Christians to love these absolute TRUTHS. Christians need to give thanks frequently that this world isn't our home.

Paul knew that "Absent from the body, present with the LORD" was an ultimate TRUTH in the physical death of a Christian, and we need to understand this. Paul and many others were eventually martyred for sharing JESUS CHRIST and the CROSS. Many Christians today are giving their lives to share the GOSPEL, and we MUST know this isn't an ending - rather a beautiful and eternal beginning with JESUS CHRIST.

Thanks for a beautiful study brother!

Love In Christ,
Tom