ROMANS 1:1 THE CALLING Paul had no question in his mind as to where his obligation lay and as to what he was called to do. He was privileged to be a bond-servant of the One he had persecuted in the past. The work of a servant is to be ready at all times to do the bidding of the One we serve. It was the Savior who told Paul the areas of service he was to be employed in. He was to take the good news of redemption to the Gentiles. These people were included in the plans of God to gather a people for His name. He was going to make them a kingdom of priests.
As a commissioned apostle, his work was foundational in the spread of the Gospel and the foundation of the Church. Everything else in His life was set aside as he was separated unto the Gospel of God. The "Gospel of God" reveals who was the Author of the Gospel. This was no idea of a man or a group of people. God Himself is the Source of the Gospel message.
Each of us who have been saved by God's grace have received a calling in the work of God. Gifts have been given to us to fulfill the work God gave us. Paul was gifted as an apostle. That particular gift was foundational and is no longer one of the gifts to be used today. We need to be exercised before the Lord to be committed to the work we have been commissioned to do. He enables us to do what He expects of us by giving the abilities needed to accomplish that work. The furtherance of the Gospel of God is a work to which all Christians need to give their labor. Paul was involved in the beginning of this great work. We are to be involved in our day near the end of this age of the Gospel of the grace of God.
This was no small calling to do a simple task. This was the call of a lifetime to do what the Master asked. He was privileged to be a foundation stone in the Church of God. The Lord Jesus had met him and commissioned him to preach the Word.
Whenever one is called to fulfill a special work - It is an unspeakable privilege from which we dare never shirk. We have been entrusted with truths that change human destinations The Author of the Gospel uses us to bring the message of salvation.
Far be it from us to ever discount what we are called to do. The results of our labor for Him won't be known until life is through. But we know the Gospel of God has power to change people's lives. So we continue to press on with our calling that we might receive the prize.