“…by whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith, in all nations, for his name; among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ: to all that are at Rome, the beloved of God, called to be saints. Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The bond of faith, the gift of obedience, is a loving gift from Jesus. Just as two spouses tie themselves together, to obey and love each other, being faithful to one another and trusting one another, so has the Lord given the grace of love and the teacher who helped draw you to Him that you may live His life of love. So it is for all Christians; He reached out in love, drawing them to Himself, that they may have the gift of faith in Him who loves them. His bringing you to Himself is a sheer grace, a perfect gift, an act of love that turned your heart to true love. This is all done for His name, for just as Jesus came in the Father’s name like an ambassador goes in the name of His country, so too do you work in the name of Jesus. He has sent you into the world, no matter your task, to be His presence of love to all you meet; “All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Colossians 3:17). Do all things consumed with the love of Jesus, that His love pours out from you in all things. All this dignity is given to His people, no matter how lofty or small: “Among whom;” the grace of apostleship is given to you, that you may join with the saints that had the loftiest missions in spreading love. He has placed His name and His presence on you and in your heart; “Put me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thy arm” (Song 8:6). This gift of grace is expressed simply: “The beloved of God, called to be saints.” You have always been loved unto folly, but by grace you can now realize it and receive it. The sun of love has always been shining, but you were blind, the sweetness of the Lord has always been present to you, but you could not taste, the way of I Love You has always been before you, but you were lame. Now by grace you can know how loved you are. You are called to be a saint, a great saint! “In this is my Father glorified; that you bring forth very much fruit, and become my disciples” (John 15:8). He wants you to be one consumed with love, yet still standing, like the burning bush in Exodus, speaking His love and presence to all who come near you. Your love is not your own, it is a pure gift, “The Spirit breatheth where he will” (John 3:8); “not as though we had loved God, but because he hath first loved us” (1 John 4:10). Then follows a beautiful greeting, a wishing of more grace and the peace of God, the peace that comes from truly being loved: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you” (John 14:27). Jesus gives the gift of I Love You, which the Trinity is. The very words “I love you” manifest the Trinity, for the Father represents “I” by His existence, the Holy Spirit is “Love,” for He is the presence and action of love, and “You” is the Word, the eternal object of the Father’s affection. Christ is designated here, because by His Incarnation, He is the true gift-bearer, bringing the love of God into the human race: “Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). He knocks at the door of your heart with this gift: “If any man shall hear my voice, and open to me the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Apocalypse 3:20); “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is full of dew, and my locks of the drops of the nights” (Song 5:2). He waits with loving words, deep affection, expressions of love, spiritual gifts, abounding grace if you will only hear Him at all times whispering this love to you: “The sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name” (John 10:3). Hear Him say, “I love you” to you constantly, for His love is always so very present to you.