We live in a culture enthralled with identity. It seems every group must assert its uniqueness to make themselves feel better. We take less pleasure in being part of the whole; we set ourselves apart to find purpose. Even the church can fall prey to this idea. Older folks avoid younger ones. Married couples avoid singles. We choose our favorite preacher and define ourselves by his doctrine.

The church at Corinth was just such a church. They were a divided group of believers who chose to emphasize their differences rather than celebrate what they had in common. This left them fractured, in conflict, and unable to maintain godly discipline.

Paul confronts this attitude by reminding them that they need to avoid acting in ways that are not in accordance with Scripture (v. 6). When it comes to biblical interpretation or application, what leader you identify with is immaterial. Choosing their favorite leader and identifying with him over another is a recipe for ungodly pride. The Corinthians needed to acknowledge that God created the difference. Everything they had was given by God. So, Paul reasons, if you received it, you should stop acting like you did not (v. 7).

Imagine a needy person boasting to another needy person about how good they are because they received more food from the food pantry. They both received what they have from someone else. “Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich” (v. 8)! There is no justification for boasting! The antidote to the divisiveness of an overemphasis on identity is to remember that everything we are and everything we have is from the Lord. He gets the glory for all of it!

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Epic adventures often involve multiple story lines. While the main characters are consumed with the central conflict, along the way we see seemingly lesser characters face challenges and trials. Keeping track of multiple storylines can be difficult, but a master storyteller can keep a reader’s interest until the time is right, finally revealing how all these threads weave together into a dramatic conclusion.

As the Apostle Paul opens the book of Romans, he takes a moment to explain how God has woven the overarching story of salvation into a conclusion beyond comprehension.

The Apostle Paul begins by acknowledging the part he plays—as one “set apart for the gospel” (v. 1). But the message of the gospel did not originate with Paul. This gospel was promised long ago by God through the prophets (v. 2). The Scriptures were written “through his prophets” for later generations (including us) to read, pointing to Jesus, a descendant of David (vv. 2–3). Jesus was born a human but revealed to be the Son of God at the resurrection (v. 4). The story of salvation is an epic one that stretches from before God made the world to the moment we find ourselves in His presence forever. God has woven the thread of your life and countless others into something wonderful and powerful.

Paul explains how he was made an apostle for a specific purpose, to call Gentiles to obedience to the Lordship of Christ (v. 6). He is “eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome” (v. 15). There is a sense of community in this calling; our stories are intertwined. Paul desires “that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (v. 12). We are to declare the gospel, “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (v. 16).

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When composers create music, they do more than just write notes on a page. They compose with specific instruments in mind. While we may hum the melody of a piano concerto, it was not written to be hummed. It was written to be played by an orchestra. Each instrument is chosen with intention and follows its own score while the hand of the composer controls.

In the years after Christ ascended, the church grew. They also faced harsh persecution (Acts 8:1). New believers were imprisoned and even killed. It would have been easy to assume the risen Christ had abandoned His flock. But He was at work in ways they could never have comprehended.

Saul, a leader among the Jewish community, obtained orders to arrest Christians in Damascus (Acts 9:1–2). He was “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” (v. 1). But God had other plans. While Saul was en route to that city, he was confronted by the risen Christ: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (v. 4).

Blinded by this encounter, Saul was sent to meet a Christian named Ananias. But Ananias was reluctant to welcome him (v. 13). So, Jesus revealed his plan for Saul: “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel” (v. 15). Notice how Ananias’s attitude changes as he addresses this man, once a feared enemy, as “Brother Saul” (v. 17).

God had selected Saul, who was later called Paul (see Acts 13:9), for a specific purpose. Until now the gospel had spread among Jewish people, and Jesus would use Paul to take it to Gentiles. Like an instrument chosen by a composer for its unique sound, Paul would serve the design of the Master Composer.

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