July 12
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Having read through Acts, seeing the great boldness, action, and conviction of Paul we have to be on the edge of our seats to get into the deep matters of the gospel that he illustrates in the wonderful book of Romans. Many see Romans as the best summarization of the Christian life, justification, peace with God, new life in Christ, the coming return of Jesus, the judgment of the world, the righteousness revealed in Jesus. Paul starts things off by stating his authority as an apostle, called by God to bring good news to the church of Rome. As this is a letter to real people in a real place, Paul begins by speaking warmly to his friends, praising them for the reputation of their great faith. We should long to have the same reputation. He desires to see his friends so that they might encourage and build one another up in the faith. This shows us what the Christian life should be about, encouraging one another and building one another up. Is this an accurate picture of how we usually treat one another?
Before getting into the meat of the letter, Paul makes a wonderful claim about the gospel:
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes."
He will spend the rest of the letter explaining what this gospel is all about.
I love Paul & his teaching! He wasn't just some great evangelist. Nor was he just some great adventurer. He was both in one man because he had the humility to let the Holy Spirit use him however He saw fit.
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