Reading: Romans 1-3
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith (Rom. 1:16-17).
The Book of Romans is, in many ways, a theological masterpiece. Within its pages, Paul expounds upon God’s fundamental truths and explains in clear, concise language what is required of us to obtain salvation by grace. Paul is forthright in his message, but he does not ‘preach’ at his audience. Paul speaks from his heart as a man saved by grace, trying to share his joy, not as a teacher lecturing a classroom of reluctant students. More than anything else, Paul wishes for every person who hears his words to come for themselves into the presence of Christ. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:21-23).
The church in Rome was unique for its time in that it was chiefly comprised of Gentiles. To quell rising unrest, the Emperor Claudius had ordered all Jews to depart from Rome (Acts 18:2). The departure of the Jews had not been able to stem the spread of Christianity in Rome, however. Christ’s message persevered, and the church formed around Gentiles who had little to no interest in the original calling of God’s chosen people or the continuity of the Old Covenant (Old Testament Scripture). Trouble erupted in the church when Jewish Christians returned to Rome with the intention of correcting the fledgling church’s faulty theology. They believed that it was their responsibility to instruct the Gentiles on the laws of Moses and the ways of God.
Paul viewed the opposing factions with no small measure of distress. He realized that both the Jews and the Gentiles were hyper-focused on procedural and legalistic issues and had lost sight of the one thing that truly mattered: the freely given grace of Jesus Christ. As was his custom, Paul addressed the Jewish Christians’ misconceptions first. He confronted them on their misplaced pride, accusing them of appropriating a state of righteousness that belonged only to God (Rom. 3:10-11). The Jews had come to Rome arrogantly believing that the only path to Jesus lay in adherence to the old ways, never once realizing that it was precisely that blind allegiance that was placing a stumbling block in their own path. Paul had to make them understand that when it came to Jesus, there was no such thing as ‘us vs. them.’ Without Christ, there was no way for the Jewish Christians to lead their Gentile brothers in the paths of righteousness because, without Christ, righteousness did not exist.
The only way in which we can live as a witness for Jesus Christ is if we are willing to let go of self. We cannot effectively share His grace with others if we simultaneously seek recognition for our accomplishments. We must reach out to others on the strength of God’s love alone—all other ways lead to failure.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me(Matt. 10:38).
Thought for Today: Those who claim to be God’s enemies do so with prideful self-importance that only reveals how in need of Him they are.
Cross Reference:For Rom. 1:17: See Hab. 2:4. Rom. 2:24: See Is. 52:5. Rom. 3:4: See Ps. 51:4. Rom. 3:10: See Ps. 14:1. Rom. 3:11: See Ps. 14:2. Rom. 3:12: See Ps. 14:3. Rom. 3:13: See Ps. 5:9.
Word Studies:1:13 let hitherto = prevented; 1:21 vain = morally misguided, empty, worthless; 1:29 debate = strife; malignity = depravity of heart; whisperers = gossipers; 2:22 commit sacrilege = rob temples; 3:2 oracles = the Scriptures; 3:25 propitiation = satisfaction, reconciliation, appeasement; remission = forgiveness of former sins.
Pray for Staff:Jennifer Palafox • Country: Iceland (317,351) Northern Atlantic Ocean • Major Languages: Icelandic, English, Nordic Languages, German • Religious Freedom • 76.2% Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland (Official); 3.4% Roman Catholic; 2.9% Reykjavik Free Church; 1.9% Hafnarfjorour Free Church; 1% The Independent Congregation; 3.6% Other Religions (Pentecostal, Asatru Assoc., Muslim, Jewish); 5.2% None; 5.9% Other/Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: Let your faith in the Word of God overrule all fears (Prov. 3:6).