“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” (Romans 1:1, KJV 1900)
When I was young, we did not have video games or much media. Primarily, when we got off from school we engaged in some type of sandlot game. Sometimes baseball or football. Two guys would decide to be team captains and then take turns choosing players. One by one they would choose. I often came in last or next to last. How demoralizing it was, because it meant that I was the least valued person on the team. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for those least valued people. There are many who feel they have little value, even in the church, but this is not the case.
Paul addresses the letter to the Romans by introducing himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and an apostle. He further indicates his mission as being separated to the ministry of the gospel. Every believer is also a servant of Christ. While our calling is different from Paul’s as an apostle, it is just as important to the work of the Lord, the gospel. The reason that it is important is that the Lord has appointed every believer to his or her specific ministry. Since it is the Lord’s appointment, it is very special and vital to the overall work of ministry. Therefore, we must stop considering ourselves as having little value. On the contrary every believer has a vital role in the Lord’s kingdom program. No believer is the last pick, but equally important. We must answer our calling and work at it with all diligence.
Renewing the Heart 