We Are All Responders

Romans 1:6

“…among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;”

Paul is describing the position of the fellow believers in Rome.

“among whom” Whom refers to the nations. It is plural, all nations.

“called” klaytos. It means “to call or to bid”. It is a title. The called or invited ones.
This is important. Every single believer is a Called Believer.

“of Jesus Christ” This is in the genitive case which shows possession or ownership. Jesus Christ is the one who possesses us, who gives us the title, Called.

Cool note: The word ekklaysia comes from this word klaytos. The prefix ek means “out of”. This word is translated “church” because the church is a gathering of those called out of the world. Isn’t it sad to see many churches today trying to be so like the world? Their message is, “Hey, we will fit into the world, you don’t have to come out, we will come in.”

John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
This is Jesus talking, to the Jews who surrounded Him at the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem. Notice how He says that His sheep follow Him. They have responded to His calling. It is all about our response to Jesus.

John 6:44 says, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” The Father not only calls, but also draws us to Himself.

This all comes into sharp focus for me in John 1:9, which says, “That was the True Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”

This is an amazing verse that I have overlooked (or not fully understood) many times. Notice the exactness of this phrasing. It is powerful, and in Greek it is even more distinct. The true Light (Christ) enlightens EVERY MAN (neuter, meaning mankind) coming into the world!!! This is revolutionary!!! God reveals Himself to EVERY person that is born. Everyone in this world is exposed to THE TRUTH. It is not a matter of some people not realizing that there is a God, God has revealed Himself to everyone. The question is, how we respond to the light; to God’s revelation of Himself. This is so huge!! There are only two responses to God. One, we stiffen our backs and raise our fists at God, refusing to bow to His authority or even acknowledge Him. Or two, we bend our knee and bow our heads to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, acknowledging His right to rule in our life.


The awesome thing here is that God has revealed Himself to everyone, but not everyone responds with submission to Him. Some respond in rebellion and denial. The focus here is on our response to Him, The True Light.





How have you responded to His light?