Introductions are necessary. In fact, when writing a formal letter or a business letter – we take the time to think what we would write to address the person and also to frame who we are in light of the transaction/message/request that we are putting in the letter.

When Paul wrote to the churches in the New Testament – he would often start with Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus.

The word servant here is DOULOS which means SLAVE. Paul understood that he had a master to whom he has given up everything for – to love, serve and worship. Paul was a man under authority. In spite of his background as a learned and influential man – he knows that he is under God’s authority.

Second, he said that he is an apostle (Apostolos) – which means a “sent one.” It is a job that Paul did not ask but was given him by the master Jesus. He was called to be an apostle. It was a calling. He was given authority by Jesus to do the work.

The word set apart means – to be moved away and apart from everything else. Paul was a servant sent and set apart by God to spread the gospel to the world. Paul was saying – I am a slave of God for life for the call God has sent me to do.

This verse got me thinking. Imagine if Christians would have the same mindset as that of Paul – I am a slave of God for life for the call God has sent me to do. It is not just obedience but sacrifice. It is putting our lives on the line for the sake of the gospel. What a way to introduce ourselves to people we meet.

Hi, I’m Dennis – a slave for Christ whom He has set apart for a particular mission to be sent around the world to preach the gospel.

PRAYER:

Lord, remind me today of your Lordship. Thank you, King Jesus, for the privilege of serving you. May I be faithful to the task you have set apart for me to do as a disciple of Jesus. Amen!