One of the exciting features of Romans is that there is so much Christian doctrine covered in this book. It brings a plethora of topics into one line of thought; the deeper issues of the gospel. I like the way Martin Luther once said it:
In Romans we find most abundantly the things that a Christian ought to know, namely, what is law, gospel, sin, punishment, grace, faith, righteousness, Christ, God, good works, love, hope, and the cross; and also how we are to conduct ourselves toward everyone.
Something else of value here however, is that Romans is not about us. It is not about our ability to be righteous. This letter is for everyone yes, but make no mistake about it; it is about God and His saving power through the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16). Paul reveals through this letter God’s power and grace through the good news of Jesus. And thank God that this power and grace is made available to all man today.
Paul demonstrates throughout this letter, the reality of Peter’s promise in Acts 2:39:
For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.
This Romans letter and all of its content is for everyone, just as Peter's promise is for everyone. That is, every person has the opportunity to respond to the gospel, which is God’s saving message, and receive the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:37-38) by contacting the blood (Romans 6:3-4). But it is important to understand also, that there is more to the gospel than the first principles (1 Corinthians 15:3). Paul says at the beginning of his letter to the Christians in Rome, those who had already obeyed the gospel, that he was eager to preach to them the gospel (1:15). So much of the message behind Romans that we will be studying, entails how we are to lead pure and holy lives before God, and especially in a unified way. In other words, how God's grace allows us to maintain our walk with Christ in His kingdom, and stay away from sin is in great part what Paul is intending; i.e., the deeper implications of the gospel.
Romans is a very liberating book. It reminds us that under Christ’s reign, we really are under a law of liberty (James 1:25). It frees us from thinking we are saved by our own doing; such is an impossible task for us (Romans 3:23; c.f., James 2:10; Galatians 3:10). There are many passages in Romans alone that clearly portray the truth that salvation comes by faith in God’s ability; not our own ability; through the righteousness of God, not our own righteousness:
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law (Romans 3:27-28).
For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace (Romans 6:14).
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trubulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 'for your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31-39).
Yes this is very liberating! At least, it should be.
This is not to suggest that grace has freed or allowed us to continue in sin or claim that we don’t need to strive for growth. Paul clearly states “God forbid!” in this regard (Romans 6:1). In fact, God's grace actually suggests that we should grow. Our responsibility to adhere to the word of God and transform our lives from worldliness to holiness certainly cannot be minimized (Romans 6:1-4; Romans 12:1-2).
More to come soon on Paul’s background as the writer of this letter as well as its recipients….
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3 comments:
We have turned Romans into a big box of proof texts that we turn to when convenient. In doing so, we have stripped it of much of its glory but even worse - we have lost an appreciation for much of its meaning. One problem we face is that when we read it in context some of the chapters and verses we have traditionally pulled out as proof texts are no longer so conveniently used or applied. It takes a lot more work to apply something when you view it in context and in light of its historical background. I don't know if you were able to read the post I did a while back on the historical background of Romans but you may (or may not!) find it helpful. Good luck with your study! You will be glad you did.
Hi Matt; I agree whole-heartedly. We actually talked about that fact last week in our class; how easy it is to take one verse in Romans and use it as a prooftext, when in reality Paul's whole point is something else.... maybe even the opposite. Romans 2:13 comes to mind at the moment as an example. I do plan to look more deeply at your blog. I read your one on the historical background toward the latter part of last year and planned to go back there. In fact, I was actually going to email you and make sure it would be okay for me to have a link to your material and blogsite at some point during my study. I think you are doing a very thorough job and am excited about the challenge of studying through this book for myself. I have always wanted to. Thanks again, Matt.
Jason,
You are always free to use whatever you find helpful at the blog. We are all just here to learn from each other. I look forward to reading your insights here and learning from your perspective on it. God bless,
Matt
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