June 26, 2020

Romans 1:1

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
From the 1860’s to 1943 George Washington Carver had one focus. His goal was bettering the life of farmers. Most farmers continually planted cotton every year. This would deplete the soil of nitrogen leading to poor harvests. George tried to convince farmers to plant sweet potatoes and legumes to add nutrients back into the soil. In order to accomplish this mission, he spent years developing products and recipes using peanuts. As a result of his efforts farming changed in our country.
This passage tells us that Paul was “separated unto the gospel.” It means that he had one focus, the gospel. The gospel wasn’t just important the day he trusted Christ. It means that the Gospel was central to who he was and what he did. I find it interesting that he doesn’t mention what he separated from. That list could go on forever. He just tells us the Gospel is what is most important in his life.
Having the gospel as the central theme in his life influenced everything he did. It impacted where he went. It impacted the words and motives of what he said. It impacted the people who he would speak to. When thinking of Paul its difficult to separate him from the gospel the same way it is difficult separate Steve Jobs from Apple, Bill Gates from Microsoft, and George Washington Carver from peanuts. You cannot separate them from what they gave their life for.
I leave you with this question, what are you separated unto? When people think of you what do they think is most important to you? If you’re like me I have some work to do. Let’s make sure we are separated unto the Gospel today.
Jacob Jarriel