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Romans 1:7

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

V.7 concludes the opening ‘greetings’ paragraph of Romans by letting the readers know, through salutations that were somewhat unique in standard ancient letter writing, that he wishes Grace and Peace to all in Rome. Not only that, but Paul is saying where the source of grace and peace comes from: God and Jesus. In our modern thinking it can be so easy to gloss over sentences that we have heard thousands of times, but back then, this teaching to the Jews in Rome was somewhat revolutionary and against what the believed (about Jesus being the Christ). In addition, Paul is saying that all (Jews and Gentiles) in Rome are called to be his holy people, not just the nation of Israel as they were in the Old Testament.

ASK YOURSELF: Do you have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ? What elements of a human relationship could be an analogy for your relationship with God?

Dear God, I thank you for enabling me to be in a right relationship with you. Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross. I know I don’t deserve all these blessings.