Romans 1:1 - 3

What does it mean to be set apart for the gospel of God? My own thoughts is that God has called us to live differently from the rest of the world. We are to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:14 - 16). What does this holiness look like? Though there are many things that God clearly lays out for us in scripture, there are also many things that are individual. Whether or not to drink is one example. And for those that may think I say that to justify my own what for a drink, know that I have never even had a sip. For me I feel that it is a sin. Others don't have that conviction and for them it is not. I don't wish to digress into that issue, but was just using it as an example. A clear example of this separation would be in 2 Corinthians 6: 14 - 18. We are called to be set apart for the sake of the gospel, just as Paul was.

Which brings me to a question, who was Paul? I may have jumped over the introductory stuff and into some meat. If I did I am apologize. I am mostly writing this for my own growth so I can't and won't cover everything. There are plenty of amazing resources for that sort of thing. But I digress. Paul in this introductory verse is declaring himself as the author of everything that follows. He is stating his credentials here; the why should we listen to you stuff. He lists three things. One, he is a bond-servant. I could rattle off somethings that I think I know about what that means, but I would rather not. I want this to be God's thoughts and not my own. Note to self, learn what it means by Paul referring to himself as a bond-servant. Secondly, Paul states that he has been called as an apostle. Again, I don't know what this means apart from a loose recollection of a few professors or pastors mentioning it in passing. I too need to gain a clearer understanding of what Paul is saying here. And lastly, Paul is saying that he is set apart for the gospel. That is what I was talking about above. How are we to live our lives as one that is set apart?

Though I still have some questions, I think it is fair to move on to verse two. It says that God, speaking through the prophets in the scriptures, promised this gospel that has now been revealed. This verse reminds me of Hebrews 1:1 - 3. This tells me two things. One God is a God that speaks to his people. He spoke of the gospel through his prophets of old, and He spoke through Jesus and He is speaking today. He is a God that communicates to his people. Secondly, he is a God that stays true to His word. He proclaimed the gospel through the prophets of old and He delivered on that promise.

So, we know that God stayed true to His word, but what was it that he promised. What is the gospel? In one word, Jesus. Verses three and four read, "concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord." In other words, the prophets were declaring the Son which was to come, who rose from the dead conquering death. This is the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Questions to consider:

1. What does it mean to be a bond-servant?
2. What does it mean when Paul says he is an apostle?
3. What is the gospel?
4. Does God speak today? and if so what is he telling me?
5. How does the resurrection declare Jesus as the Son of God?
6. What power is there in the resurrection?
7. Is there anything else we can learn from this passage?
8. What does all this have to do with my life right now?