Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is with a heart overflowing with gratitude and love that I write to you, not as one deserving of this privilege, but as one redeemed and compelled by the Spirit of God to share His truth with all who will listen. Though we may be separated by distance and circumstance, we are united in the glorious calling that comes from our Lord.
In the sacred words of Romans 1:6, it is declared that we are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. How profound and transformative is this truth! You are not an afterthought, nor are you here by chance. No matter your background, your struggles, or your triumphs, you have been personally summoned by the eternal and holy God to be part of His divine purpose. You have been chosen to belong—not as slaves to fear or the world, but as beloved children in Christ.
Brothers and sisters, this calling is not one to be taken lightly. To belong to Christ is to surrender to Him fully, heart, soul, mind, and strength. It is to step out of the shadows of isolation and sin and into the marvelous light of His grace. It is to relinquish the futile attempts to shape our own destiny and embrace the eternal plan laid out by the One who knows us better than we know ourselves.
Let us not forget the cost of this calling. The blood of Jesus Christ, poured out on Calvary, has redeemed us and made us His own. How then can we live as if we are still bound by the chains of sin? How can we continue in the patterns of this world, when we have been called to be transformed, to reflect His love, His mercy, and His holiness?
Beloved, I urge you to live lives worthy of this calling. In your relationships, let the love of Christ shine brightly. In your work, let integrity and excellence be your witness. In your trials, let the hope of the gospel sustain you. Remember that you are not alone in this journey, for we are part of a great and growing family of faith, spanning every nation and generation.
And yet, let us not keep this calling to ourselves. Just as we have been invited into this fellowship with Christ, so we are commissioned to extend this invitation to others. There are countless souls who wander aimlessly, longing for the very hope and belonging that we have found in Him. Let us be bold in our witness, gentle in our approach, and steadfast in our prayers for those who are yet to know Him.
May the joy of belonging to Christ fill your hearts and overflow into every aspect of your lives. May you find strength in the Word, guidance in the Spirit, and comfort in the fellowship of believers. And may you always remember that He who has called you is faithful. He will sustain you, equip you, and bring to completion the good work He has begun in you.
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.