Rom. 1:7 ¶ "To 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." (emphasis mine).
This is written to those whom God loves - the great privilege of all Christians to be "loved by God." This was no generic love, but a very specific salvific love (1 John 3:1). IOW, the persons whom Paul addressed were not those who had been invited to the external privileges of the gospel, but these were the recipients of God's love who had been "called to be saints." His chosen ones, set apart from all eternity as vessels of mercy for HIs good pleasure.
"Grace to you and peace" is the language of the gospel; the language of great affection for those whom our Lord Jesus Christ has redeemed, whom the Father has chosen, and whom the Spirit has regenerated. "Grace" (the means of our redemption) and "peace" (our right standing before God having the enmity removed by the blood of His cross);
If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, there is a profound, unshakable truth to which you may fix your assurance and hope for eternity today; you are "loved by God." Amen?
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3 comments:
Amen, of course.
Right now I am having a discussion with a fierce Catholic, who, when confronted with this, said: 'nonsense'.
Sometimes you want to pound their heads against the wall...
"If you know Him as your Lord and Savior beloved, what a sweet truth that we are "loved by God."
Amen?"
Yes.
Brother, your post is one of the most encouraging and uplifting I have read in the last week or so.
Tears are welling up in my eyes.
I am comforted in the word of the LORD daily but it is also beautiful to hear the truths of God's word proclaimed by another.
Thankyou.
Ecclesiastes 11:3 (KJV) If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
I wonder how many people are saved through that verse?
Maybe as many that have been saved through the gospel in this song????:
Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There Is a Season)
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!
AWESOME!!!
Very encouraging post Steve. I needed to read this today.
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