http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201-3&version=ESV
The book of Romans is called by many, the greatest letter ever written, and I do agree.
In the book of Romans, we have the most clear definition of what salvation is.
I remember a Pastor said this is the way he outlined Romans:
Romans 1-3 - The condemnation of man
Romans 4-5 - Sanctification
Romans 6-8 - Justification
Romans 9-11 - The vindication of the people of Israel
Romans 12-16 - Application
Now, this outline is not exact, but I have found it helpful to get a broad understanding of the major themes in the book of Romans and what chapters they are presented in.
Romans 1-3 is our reading for today.
In chapter 1, we learn that men suppress the truth and that all know there is a God but they suppress the truth because they do not want to be accountable to God.
This is a general knowledge of God, via creation, which is known as general revelation. Special revelation, or the Bible, is needed for salvation. So God uses creation to stir in our hearts our longing for Him, and then He uses His Word to tell us the salvific truths necessary so that we might believe in His Son and be saved.
In Romans chapter 2, we read that Jews and Gentiles both will be accountable to God. Being a Jew is not just being of the circumcision, but it is a matter of the heart wherein a man follows the Spirit and not the letter and he receives his praise from God and not man.
In Romans 3 we read that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,
"and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:24-26)
This is probably one of the most beautiful and precise theological statements in the Bible. God knew that no one would ever be able to live a sinless life, save His Son. He knew that no one would be able to perfectly be able to keep the law, save for His Son. He knew that we would all be guilty and we would not be able to avoid the condemnation of His wrath, but through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ propitiated the Father, or satisfied the wrath of God. And by thus doing so, we have been justified by His grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Friends, I hope you will really ponder the truths of the book of Romans as we read through this great book over the next several days.
I wish I could write on the great chapter 8 of Romans, but alas, that falls to Carol.
I am grateful to God that the book of Romans is in our Bibles. By understanding its truths and applying them to our lives, we too, as Paul wrote, can say:
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16-17)
Soli Deo Gloria.
Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.
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Dr. Young has always said that ROMANS is his favorite of the entire New Testament. There is little wonder why!!
ReplyDelete**Thank GOD that the Gospel is for ALL. Jesus came to save the poor, the rich, etc. and not just the "right people" or the upper class.
**I know I will begin to ramble here, but I want to spend more time with the down-trodden, as opposed to the overwhelmingly "successful" people at our church.
**There is no challenge in merely hanging out with the upper-middle class all the time...
**Just in a strange mood that's all...Stemming from the fact that during this season of Jesus, my celebratory and joyful spirit is usually equally matched by sadness for the lost, the poor, the sick, and the hopeless.
**The one and only GOD can cure all these woes(if it is within HIS will);however, the pain in this world is just overwhelming and unimaginable.....I love 1Corinthians 10:13, and just wish that many more individuals knew of this great truth---->No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.
Peace and love!!!
Let me brag on a single mom which goes to 2nd. During Angels of Light I noticed she was bringing in bags of groceries and placing them in the bins. This same mom has been living in Houston for almost a year. She is a widow and she came here to find medical treatment for her son. She is here on a student visa. She had no car and took the bus to school and church and when she arrived in Houston, she only had 1 suitcase. We went over to her apartment and she only had single mattress on the floor.. Nothing else was in the apartment! No food, no toys, no clothes, nothing!!! She had acouple of spoons and plates. Anyway, we helped her out but basically she still has nothing. Someone gave her a car and others some toys for her young kid but to see her bringing the little what she had for Angels of light just blew my mind. Now I said all this to say she has the greatest attitude. No complaints. No bellyaching, a giving spirit, a smile on her face and always words of encouragement for others.. Like wow Lord, I like hanging with these types of people.
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