“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God…” – Romans 1:1
Paul’s greetings in his letters aren’t just pleasantries; they are rich affirmations of who he is in Christ, and who Christ is to the world. Like a soldier reporting for duty, Paul begins by acknowledging his post—called, commissioned, and set apart for the gospel. This order isn’t about power—it’s about purpose. When we honor God’s design, our lives click into place like gears in a divine engine.
Paul calls himself a “bondservant” of Christ—a doulos. This wasn’t just a label, but a love-marked commitment. Just as a willing Hebrew servant had his ear pierced to remain with a beloved master (Exodus 21:5-6), Paul declares his choice to serve Jesus forever. He had been redeemed—bought with a price—not with silver or gold, but by the very blood of the Lamb. Paul’s identity was not just in what he did but in who he belonged to.
Though Paul was “separated to the gospel,” he was never isolated from the world. He worked, walked, and witnessed among the people. Like a lighthouse rooted firmly on the shore but beaming its light across the waves, Paul shined where he stood. He knew that abstinence can withdraw us from danger, but temperance—Spirit-powered self-control—lets us stay in the world without being overcome by it. He was once separated as a Pharisee to keep laws, but now separated by grace to preach Christ. That transformation gave him strength to love those he once scorned, and courage to serve even in suffering. When we understand our position in Christ, we find unshakable peace, unexplainable joy, and a calling worth our every breath.
“The man who has seen the vision of God and heard the call of God can never be the same again. He is a man with a mission, and he must go.” – J.D. Jones
surrendered devotions 