Romans 1.6

Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

This is a great little verse: you are “among whom”. What does that mean? Well, in verse 5, Paul tells that his mission is to go to the nations and bring people to obedience to the faith. In verse 6, Paul tells you that you are in that group of people: you are obedient to the faith.

The Amplified says it like this:

5It is through Him that we have received grace (God’s unmerited favor) and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name’s sake among all the nations, 6And this includes you, called of Jesus Christ and invited [as you are] to belong to Him.

So many Christians put themselves outside everything that God is doing.

Pastor Superman can pray for the sick, but that is not me.

Richard Rich can prosper and succeed – but that doesn’t mean me.

Elder Shundai can speak in tongues – but I can’t get the Holy Spirit.

Mrs Loveall can forgive from her heart and enjoy peace and joy – but that doesn’t mean I can.

Other people can live in victory, not me.

But Paul is talking to the church in Rome and he is saying that his mission is to bring people in obedience to faith and make them disciples of Jesus – mountain moving, tongue talking, happy, healthy, wealthy disciples.

I can imagine as this letter was read in Rome, that people would be thinking just what Christians think today: the promises are for someone else, not me.

But then Paul scuppers all their self pity and all their thinking that God loves everyone but them, that God’s goodness is for everyone but them, that the faith life is for everyone but them by saying:

And this includes you.

Think about these powerful words today whenever you think of God’s church walking in victory, enjoying health, wealth, happiness and peace:

And this includes you.

Look at it from some other translations, just to help this truth flood your soul:

And you also are among [them] (NIV)
You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ! (MESSAGE)
And this includes you (Amplified)
And you are included (NLT)

You are never on the outside looking in – you are integral to what God is doing across the church.

Glory and faith,
Benjamin