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And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. --- Romans 1:6-7 NLT The Roman Empire was a lot like the United States today. Christians in every age need to be reminded that God is the only permanent source of our security and salvation. Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire that had spread over most of Europe, North Africa,and the Near East. In New Testament times, Rome was experiencing a golden age. The city was wealthy, literary, and artistic. It was a cultural center, but it was also morally decadent. The Romans worshiped many pagan gods, and even some of the emperors were worshiped. In stark contrast to the Romans, the followers of Christ believed in only one God and lived by his high moral standards. Christianity was also at odds with the Romans’ dependence on military strength, Many Romans were naively pragmatic, believing that any means to accomplish the intended task was good. And for them, nothing worked better than physical might. The Romans trusted in their strong military power to protect them against all enemies. Christians in every age need to be reminded that God is the only permanent source of our security and salvation. And at the same time he is “Our Father”! Paul says that those who become Christians are invited by Jesus Christ to (1) belong to God’s family, and (2) be his very own people. What a wonderful expression of what it means to be a Christian! In being reborn into God’s family we have the greatest experience of love and the greatest inheritance. Because of all that God has done for us, we strive to be his holy people. --- Life Application Study Bible notes