The just shall live by faith!
Romans is foundational for building church doctrine. The apostle Paul came with the revelation of grace and truth that empowers every believer to walk in victory. The book of Romans is a brick by brick building block. Paul speaks to 3 people groups after his introduction. 1st he speaks to the wicked, then to the law keepers, and finally to the good Joes. In the end he makes it plain, no matter which group you find yourself there is not one of those groups who are righteous before God, no not one. Jesus came with a specter of righteousness. It cannot be something that man can contrive, it must be the imputed righteousness that God’s provides and there is no other way.
The covenant of grace and truth found in Jesus Christ, God’s righteousness revealed, and living by faith in Jesus Christ will be the repetitive themes throughout the book of Romans.
Romans 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,
3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
Paul a bondservant. Jewish law said a Jewish slave could only be in servitude for 7 years at the 7th year they were free. However, if a man loved working for his master he could choose to become a bondservant and stay and serve. Oh, that every believer would have sweet fellowship with God and yield as a bondservant to Jesus Christ. Called to be an apostle. An apostle is a sent one. Paul was sent as an apostle to the Gentiles. Separated to the gospel of God.
The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. The old covenant pointed to the coming of the Christ; the new covenant is Jesus the Christ has come. Jesus is the Son of man and the Son of God.
Romans 1:5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
There is purpose in receiving grace. The divine influence gifts you and equips you for obedience to the faith. Every believer is the called of Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Beloved of God and called to be saints. You are members of the household of God.
Divine influence and peace comes from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.
Paul commend them for their faith in Jesus. Paul served God with his spirit in the gospel of Jesus. It lead him to be a prayer warrior for all the saints of God. Paul was driven by desire for the people of God. Oh, that we the believers will be driven by desire for the people of God.
Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established; 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Spiritual gifts are imparted to establish the believer and build up one another in Christ.
Romans 1:13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. Romans 1:14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
Godly leadership is moved with a heart for the people of God. It is time for the gospel, the almost too good to be true news, to be declared to the body of Christ.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
The gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes!
Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
We have come into the kingdom by faith and we shall live by faith. From faith to faith!
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
Man is without excuse because creation itself testifies of God!
Romans 1:21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man; and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Men have rejected the witness of creation and have created their own gods living in idolatry. They have not glorified God, nor were they thankful. Men’s foolish hearts were darkened and God allowed it to be so.
Romans 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
What is this that man exchanged the truth of God for the lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator! Our society has become a reflection of this word. Our heroes are creatures instead of the creator.
Romans 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
God’s word has surely come to pass in our society and now if you stand for righteousness you are called evil and evil is now called courageous and good.
Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Instead of being filled with the revelation of God’s righteousness they are being filled with all unrighteousness.
Romans 1:31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
This prophetic word is coming to pass before our very eyes. Not only is the unrighteous ruling with great delight in their sin, now the so called church is getting in union with them and calling it righteousness. However this is not the righteousness that has been revealed in Christ Jesus.
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