Simple lessons from Romans
The letter of Paul to the Romans is my favorite book of the bible. It contains basic principles about christian faith.
The following lessons are not intended to be a thorough study of the the book of Romans, but a guide to help you in your daily search of a greater relationship with God.
Romans 1:6 – We are called to belong
6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Usually, we as Christians call ourselves followers of Christ, however Paul begins his letter to the Romans expressing that we are called to be more than followers of Christ: we are called to belong to Christ.
The term belong is not used exclusively by Paul in the letter to Romans, it is used in other letters, and by other as Jesus, John, James, and Peter.
I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward. – Mark 9:41
But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. – 1 Corinthians 15:23
Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? – James 2:7
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God… – 1 Peter 2:9
To follow means,
- to travel behind, go after
- comply: act in accordance with someone’s rules, commands, or wishes
- behave in accordance or in agreement with
- adopt: choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
To belong means,
- be owned by; be in the possession of
- be suitable or acceptable
- be a member
- To have its proper place
These definitions give us some insights on the difference between “follow” and “belong”. Yes, we need to adopt Jesus’ teachings, comply with them, and behave in accordance to them. But it is due time that we quit traveling behind him, and rather become members of his body, have our part in him, and be owned by him. ‘To follow’ gives the idea that we have not reached what we have been following. But ‘to belong’ suggest that you have been reached by the very thing that we have been following.
In our case, we have being following Christ, but the truth is that when we accepted him as Lord we were ‘reached’ by him. Once we realize this truth we no longer have to wait to begin enjoying the benefits of belonging to our Lord Jesus.
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