Paul’s letter to the Romans -Intro

Paul’s letter to the Romans is, in a nutshell, a testimony of the good news of God’s grace; the gospel of God. As we read through the book of Romans we can’t help but find ourselves excited at just how good God is, and amazed at how the whole story of God has been leading up to the place we are now. The letter to the Romans was written by the Apostle Paul, who was given the revelation of this good news directly into his spirit by God. Paul himself testifies about his letter to the Galatians:

I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11-12

If Paul received this message of good news that he so passionately preached directly from God, then it’s certainly a good idea to look at the gospel that Paul preached and embrace it, love it and live in it. This is in fact the very reason Paul was given such an amazing revelation of the gospel; it was for the benefit of the rest of the body of Christ. The reason Paul preached the gospel so passionately, even in the face of such strong opposition, is so Christ’s body would be blessed and find their rest in it.  It was Paul’s mandate to preach this wonderful good news, as we read him testifying to towards the end of the book of Acts:

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24

Everything Paul did was in one way or another connected to this one goal; to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. We see Paul doing this in all his letters, but nowhere does he lay out the nuts and bolts of gospel of God’s grace as systematically as in his letter to the Romans. Why did Paul do such a thing? Was it to prove to the world that he was a wise and learned theologian? Hardly likely; I don’t think anyone would judge Paul’s motives as self gratifying; it seems self evident that Paul, although he certainly could have, wouldn’t have considered himself a theologian.

Paul doesn’t give us the impression, through his life and letters to the early church, that he was interested in theories of God; to Paul, the gospel wasn’t a theory. He lived his life out of a revelation of Christ. He lived with a foundational belief that the good news of God’s grace was a profound and living reality in his life; and it was so glorious that it made everything else pale by comparison. Paul didn’t get caught up side issues; he fought passionately to keep the focus of our faith exactly that. That focus was the glorious reality of the person of Jesus and the new creation life that was given through his death and resurrection.

He lived to proclaim the greatness of Christ and the power of his perfect finished work on the cross. He lived to keep the church focused on Jesus, and he knew the only way that would function was when the church was founded in the good news of God’s grace. This is the same task we endeavour to do today; to keep our hearts focused on Jesus and our spirits founded in his grace. We too can live understanding that God’s grace is not a theory or a doctrine; it’s a profound and glorious reality. It’s good to know that our lives are based on a reality and not on a theory.  Our belief is not based on theology; it’s based on Jesus; on his person and on his reality.

Paul life shows us that understanding God’s ways has no correlation with having the ability to use the biggest theological words possible. Other preachers of the day purposely slandered Paul because he refused to use big words. Paul didn’t find this an insult, but rather he was pleased that his message could be presented to all people, regardless of their education. Paul, through the help of the Spirit, managed to share the most profound revelation in all of eternity in a way that his listeners could understand.

Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God’s grace. For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand.2 Corinthians 1:1213

Like Paul, we can also be encouraged that we don’t need to get caught up in using big theological words and relentlessly referencing every point we make. We don’t have to quote other scholars and authors in order to accurately portray God; rather we simply point to Jesus and say ‘he is my reality’ and our message comes out of knowing and believing in his reality. It is indeed a foolish message to the world’s ears, but it is our message nonetheless, and we believe that it is in fact the power of God unto salvation.

The creator of the universe; the King of kings and the Lord of lords; the one whom created all things and through whom all things hold together; he is real and he is graceful. The eternal purpose of everything in the heart of God is found and finished in the life of Jesus, the sacrifice he made on the cross and the result of new life that comes out of that sacrifice.

This is our reality; this is the gospel. This is the good news that could only ever be given through a pure act of God’s grace, for how could man ever earn such a blessing? It is for this reason we don’t try to prove we have earned such a wonderful reality, but we rejoice in the gift of this precious good news. It is our inheritance in Christ; the good news of God’s grace!

Paul’s letter to Roman church helped them, and the church today, to understand just how God’s grace is more than enough bring about God’s righteousness, obedience, and the Christ empowered life to every believer who has joyfully received it.

I look forward to taking this journey together through the letter to the Romans with the goal of being encouraged and refreshed in the good news we mutually share in. (Continue reading)