Paul did not appoint himself an apostle and bearer... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Jesus Christ our Lord. ... Through him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name, among whom you are also the called of Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:3.5.6

Paul did not appoint himself an apostle and bearer of the gospel message, nor could any other earthly person have done so. His mission as an apostle could come only from Christ in heaven. Paul was granted "grace and apostleship" from Jesus Christ Himself.

Paul regarded it as "grace", a personal favour from the Lord, that he could serve Him. Moses had imparted the individual requirements of the law to the people of Israel at Sinai in the spirit of the law. Paul now preached the message of grace in the spirit of grace to everyone, whatever nation they belonged to.

The gospel of the grace of God is preached for the obedience of faith. It is not sufficient to acknowledge the good news to be true without being personally concerned and experiencing its effect on our life.

The jailer in Philippi asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house" (Acts 16:30.- 32). They all responded to this simple command.

The content of the gospel must be acknowledged and accepted in the heart. That is the obedience of faith. We must respond to the message of grace: "I am a sinner indeed! I deserve eternal condemnation. I cannot save myself. I turn to you, confessing my guilt and believe in your Son Jesus Christ and His work of redemption." The Christians in Rome were among those who responded to God's good news in obedience to the faith.

Today's reading: Exodus 29:19-30 · Luke 12:13-21