THE KING’S BUSINESS
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an altogether peculiar and unique sense, a sense in which no other is the son of' God, and that Jesus is a Divine person. In the light of the resurrection Unitarianism has no standing ground. This one so clearly and unmistakably designated to be “the Son of God with power” is “Jesus Christ, our Lord.” What a fullness of meaning there is in that name and those titles—- Jesus, Saviour; Christ, the Anointed One (our Prophet, Priest and King) ; Lord, Lord of all (cf. Acts 10:36), our Divine Ruler and Absolute Owner and Master. Is Jesus all this to you? Sunday, May 28 .. Romans 1 : 5 - 6 . Through this glorious person, Jesus Christ our Lord, Paul had received grace for himself and apostleship for others. The purpose of this apostleship was to bring men “among all the nations” “unto obe dience, of faith”. Justifying faith is itself an act of obedience. It is submitting the mind and will to the truth of God (cf. ch. 10:3; 16:36; 1 Peter 1:2) and it also leads to a life of obedience to all things (Heb. 11:8). There is no clearer proof of unbelief in God than failure to obey the word of God, and there is no clearer proof of,belief in God than prompt obedience to the word of God. The grace that Paul received and the apostleship to which he was called were both “for His name’s sake.’’ Even in the opening of the Epistle Paul gives us a little foretaste of what is to follow regarding the exalted position and glorious privileges of the believer; he tells those in Rome that that they are (1) “called to be Jesus Christ’s”. If we are called to be Jesus Christ’s we surely have perfect security for Jesus Christ can take care of, and will take care of his own property. (2) “Beloved of God”. How much there is in that. Spend a while meditating upon what it means to be one of God’s loved ones. (3) “Called to he saints”. That is what every believer, even the weakest, is called to be, a saint, that, is, a separated one; separated from sin unto God. It is not only Saint Paul and Saint John and Saint Francis, but
Saint Everybody Who Believes in Jesus. The church canonizes a few, God canonizes every believer in Jesus. Monday, May 29 . Romans 1 : 8 - 10 . Paul’s abounding thankfulness to God comes out here as in so many of his letters. He looked upon the faith of the believers in Rome, that was everywhere spoken of, and said this is the work of “my God,” and then he lifted up his heart and voice in thanksgiving to God for it. He offered his ~thanksgiving to God “through Jesus Christ.” There is no way of access to God either in thanksgiving, or praise or prayer or worship, except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Eph. 2:18; 5:20). - Paul’s con stant prayerfulness also comes out: "unceasingly ” did he make mention of the saints in Rome. Most of them he had never seen, but all of them he loved. As . one reads in so many of Paul’s letters to churches and to individuals his statement that he is praying for them without ceas ing, or “day and night,” (e. g. Eph. 1:16; .Col. 1:9; I Thess. 3:10; Tim. 1:3), the thought must arise “surely this man Paul must have spent much of his time in prayer,” and so he did. Paul’s great desire concerning believers in Rome was to see them, but it was only “in the will of God” (R. V. Margin) that he wished to see them. If God wanted him elsewhere he would not go to Rome, but there was a great longing in his heart to go. This prayer of Paul’s was at last answered in a very remarkable way, as we have seen in our studies in the book of Acts. Tuesday, May 50 . Romans 1 : 11 , 12 . Paul’s reason for desiring to see the saints in Rome was not only to add to his own reputation or acheivements, but that he might “impart unto” them “some spirit ual gift.” It is always the mark of a true Christian that he wishes to impart to others what he himself has received from Christ. The purpose for which he desired to impart
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