Romans 1:1

MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST

DO YOU SEE YOUR CALLING?

Separated unto the Gospel.

Romans 1:1

Our calling is not primarily to be holy men and women, but to be
proclaimers of the Gospel of God. The one thing that is all important
is that the Gospel of God should be realized as the abiding Reality.
Reality is not human goodness, nor holiness, nor heaven, nor hell;
but Redemption; and the need to perceive this is the most vital need
of the Christian worker to-day. As workers we have to get used to the
revelation that Redemption is the only Reality. Personal holiness is
an effect, not a cause, and if we place our faith in human goodness,
in the effect of Redemption, we shall go under when the test comes.

Paul did not say he separated himself, but - "when it pleased God who
separated me. . ." Paul had not a hypersensitive interest in his own
character. As long as our eyes are upon our own personal whiteness we
shall never get near the reality of Redemption. Workers break down
because their desire is for their own whiteness, and not for God.
"Don't ask me to come into contact with the rugged reality of
Redemption on behalf of the filth of human life as it is; wbat I want
is anything God can do for me to make me more desirable in my own
eyes." To talk in that way is a sign that the reality of the Gospel
of God has not begun to touch me; there is no reckless abandon to
God. God cannot deliver me while my interest is merely in my own
character. Paul is unconscious of himself, he is recklessly
abandoned, separated by God for one purpose - to proclaim the Gospel
of God (cf. Rom. 9:3.)