Separated To

I am reading Romans 1:1. The Apostle Paul is starting his introduction to his letter to the church in Rome: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. Something begs my attention.

Paul says separated unto and not “separated from.” Okay, we know that Paul was separated from sin, worldly practices, and even from his former life as a Pharisee of the Pharisees. Here, instead, his emphasis is on what he is separated to.

The past is done away with. He’s looking forward. He’s separated to the gospel of God.

In another letter, Paul defines the gospel this way: it’s the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the Substitute for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

What a life-purpose statement! Separated to spread the gospel.

May we follow in Paul’s footsteps!