Called and Loved, Part I
Piper focuses on the word called in this passage. I didn’t really realize how crucial this word is to this book. I knew the word was important in the bible, but after reading this sermon and the looking up the word called on Logos, I found some key verses in Romans:
Romans 1:1 - 1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Romans 1:6 - 6including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
Romans 1:7 - 7To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:28 - 28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:30 - 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Romans 9:11 - 11though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—
Romans 9:24 - 24even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
Romans 9:25 - 25As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’ ”
Romans 9:26 - 26“And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ ”
Romans 11:29 - 29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
So there definitely is an undeniable aspect of salvation that relates to God’s specific call.
“When (Paul) describes what it means to have a Christian identity in verses 6–7, Paul does not put the first emphasis on what we do. He puts it on what is done to us and for us, just as he did in describing his own identity as a slave and apostle and servant of the gospel.[1]”
Piper shares how difficult it seems that in a world so big that God’s call would be so specific. He writes:
“So today, whether it looks like it or not, all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Christ. And unless we know that and believe that with all our hearts, we will be overwhelmed by the apparent bigness of all that happens in the world. In the absence of that truth, Christianity looks hopelessly insignificant and Christians look foolish. So set your mind on the magnificence of Christ as the Lord of the universe, and on the power and wisdom of God the Father who created all this and plans all this and is managing all this, precisely for the building of his church—his people—by bringing about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations.[2]”
So the purpose of our lives is to live out the calling that has redeemed, justified and given a new purpose and meaning in our lives. Whether we like it or not, agree with it or not, God has had mercy on whom he has mercy. He hast turned on the light for whom he has turned on the light for, according to 2 Cor 4:4-6.
“That is what Paul means in Romans 1:6 when he says, “You Romans are the called of Jesus Christ.” God has said in your hearts, “Let there be light,” and you have seen his glory and come to him and called on him, and he has saved you, and forgiven you and accepted you and poured out his love in your hearts. That is what has happened to you, Christian. Learn who you are. Learn how to thank your God, and live in the humble wonder of grace.
And say with me to every unbeliever, on behalf of Christ, and in the power of his Spirit: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Ephesians 5:14).”
Steve Allen
ACTION Zambia
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