Bought, Sought And Caught

These are a few notes I jotted down, this morning, on Paul's intro to the incomparable letter to the beloved of God, and called to be saints, in Christ Jesus, who temporarily called Rome, Italy, their home.

Paul wrote the letter while in Corinth, around A. D. 57-58, with a high expectations to eventually, Lord willing, make his way to them in Rome.
Take a minute and walk with me through the first seven verses of Romans one. I believe these will encourage you.

Who is Paul? (Romans 1:1)
Paul described himself as a servant/bondslave of the Lord Jesus Christ. In essence he is saying: I belong to Jesus. He purchased my life, lock, stock and barrel, for He owns all of me and I'm at His mercy. Why? I've been bought, sought, fought, caught and taught by my Master. I initially fought His goading... and thought to destroy the "heresy" of Jesus, abolish His name from the earth, and silence anyone that confessed Him and His ways. But it was a useless fight. The harder I pushed the deeper and wider they grew and more faithful they became. I, outside of my own power and authority, couldn't resist His personal interruption and powerful invasion and permanent investment in me. For He informed me that He interposed His precious blood over my sinfulness and imputed His righteousness to me. He also enlightened me that I would both go to work for Him and suffer for Him and His kingdom. And, by His grace, He granted me repentance to turn... and I trusted Him and the truth that He unashamedly fought for me, bought me with His blood, sought me by His Spirit, and caught me by His grace and that He was committed to teach and use me to share and spread His good news…