Thursday, July 12

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes:  first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:  The righteous will live by faith.'" (Romans 1:16,17)

Today, we begin reading through the Book of Romans, Paul's great treatment of the Gospel.  It includes some of the deepest theological arguments in the entire testimony of the Scriptures.  Its riches give us context for understanding major doctrines, including sin, justification, sanctification, and the true nature of freedom.

While these doctrines receive ample airtime, Paul highlights in Romans 1:16,17 that the letter will focus on the Gospel, through which God has introduced the pathway to receiving Christ's righteousness—by faith.  Romans 1 to 3 will underscore the depravity of each person and the reality of our sin.  In Romans 3:20-28, Paul will show that the Law, which provides boundaries and a moral yardstick, leads us to seek Christ's righteousness.  Chapters 4 to 8 will speak about the working out of that righteousness, through the life of faith.  The second half touches on the spread of the Gospel message and its outward manifestation in Christian community.  Please pay close attention so that you may gain the maximum teaching from Romans.

Romans covers the reality of life and death.  We were called at creation to honor God, but we, like Adam and Eve, have turned aside from God.  We have instead focused on serving ourselves and our sinful nature.  We deserve God's wrath for this disobedience; we would rightly be considered God's enemies.  Nonetheless, God has offered salvation by faith, through grace, only through the shed blood of Christ on the cross.  We respond to God's love by embracing Him and living a life of obedience, honor, and joy through the Holy Spirit.

With this introduction, how would you like to grow as a result of reading through Romans?

Lord God, thank You for giving us a pathway of salvation by faith.  Strengthen us by Your Spirit so that we may honor You in all things.  Give us opportunity to proclaim Your Gospel through our lives and our testimony.  In Jesus's Name, amen.