This is a Blogger Small Group entry in partnership with Run’n Like a Vagabond.
Let me start by saying that Romans may be my favorite book of Scripture. I’ve been known to say before that, in the event I was ever stranded on a desert island, and could have only one book of the Bible, it would be Romans. Romans might just be the most “complete” book of Scripture, covering not only the Gospel well, but also topics such as spiritual growth, morality, social justice, history, prophecy, and a myriad other Scriptural themes.
Where most other books of the Bible cover a certain theme or address a certain set of issues, or cover a particular era of history, Romans covers a wide range of all those subjects. Primarily focused upon Christ and His grace, there is also teachings toward the source and substance of the Gospel, and encouragement to share it with confidence. Romans can also be seen as a primer of ethical and spiritual standards.
Romans 1:1-7 = The usual introductory remarks from Paul, but at the same time quite different. As usual he calls himself a servant of Christ, but he goes on to point out that he was “set apart” or “called out” for the Gospel. This is a very specific statement. He was not set apart just to preach or minister, but especially for the Gospel.
Then he goes on to point at that this Gospel has been promised and proclaimed since time immemorial, all the was back to the OT prophet. This same Jesus that Paul preached was the very promised descendant of David, and this Christ’s authenticity is proclaimed by His resurrection. And—in typical Pauline run-on sentence form, this same Jesus is who gave Paul (and us) grace and apostleship (authority) to bring about obedience of faith among all the Gentiles. Why? For Christ’s glory and renown.
Who’s this written to? All those who are loved by God in Rome and called to be saints. Think about the audience here. These people are living in the capitol of the most powerful empire the world had ever known, among the greatest weath and privilege in that world, among a culture that by and large accepted anything and everything except for the very Gospel Paul proclaimed. Sound familiar?
Romans 1:8-15 = These Christ-followers of Rome were obviously not weak in their faith. Paul says their faith is being proclaimed throughout the world. This was not a church full of pew sitters, but hearers and doers. No wonder Paul wanted to come see these people, not just to build up and encourage them in the faith, but probably to get a jolt of energy and enthusiasm in return.
Paul talks in vs. 11 about giving a spiritual gift, but even more important in the verse (to me) is that he goes on to speak about the purpose of the gift: to establish them, to build them up, to grow together in their faith. On top of it all, this gift which leads to establishment and communal growth has the ultimate goal of seeing the lost among the Gentiles come to faith in Christ. THIS is the whole point of any spiritual gift. If we have a gift, and are not using it to build up our church so that we can better reach the lost, then we squander our gift. ‘Nuff said.
Romans 1:16-17 = One of Paul’s seminal statements, an unconditional declaration. “I am not ashamed of the Gospel.” This is the essence of where every Christ-follower should strive to achieve. Why should we not be ashamed of it? Paul answers it himself and says because, “it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” This is why Jesus and the Gospel are and must remain central to Christianity and the Church.
Here is a true test of a Christ-follower, that we live by faith. Well, that sounds nice, but how do we define “faith?” We don’t have to define it, because Paul already has for us. Read it again: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Unless our faith rests in this statement, we don’t have Bible faith.
Romans 1:18-23 = Well, so much for the “lovey” part of the letter, but don’t take it all the wrong way. Paul is really just continuing his thought here. The reason why we have gifts that we must use to build the church so it can reach others is because the wrath of God hangs over the head of everone who has yet to place their faith and trust in Christ. Paul doesn’t mess around; this is serious business. Again, a bunch of pew sitters can’t reach the world.
But, at the same time, Paul makes it very clear that the truth of God is not an unknown factor. Verse 20 is hard to swallow, but Paul makes it clear that evidence of God and His existence is clearly seen. The invisible nature and attributes of God have been visibly revealed to mankind through creation itself, so much so that man is without excuse to aknowledge God.
What happens when mankind as a whole forgets about God and stop honoring Him? We become a foolish people and our hearts are darkened. We trade the wisdom of God for our own faulty intellect and trust in broken man rather than flawless God. We trade the perfect God of all creation for temporary, though beautiful things.
Romans 1:24-25 = Now what happens when man does this? God allows it. I don’t think God gives up on mankind as much as He allows them to chase their desires. For most, this is the beginning of the end, because man gets so wrapped up in what feels good that we lose track of what is true and honorable. I think this is part of what verse 25 is getting at when Paul says man exchanges the truth of God for a lie. Our viewpoint, when separated from God, turns truth into lies and lies into truth. Mankind on its own gets everything exactly backward.
Romans 1:26-27 = What is the result of rejecting God? God follows the same pattern established in verse 24, and allows things to proceed to the next logical step. When man follows his own desires before God’s, and begins to get everything backward, man starts to give themselves wholeheartedly to the very things that are destroying them. Make no mistake here, Paul is talking about homosexulity, something very prevalent in Roman society, especially among the upper and ruling classes. Not only is it against God and the nature He created, but it becomes its own punishment. I’m not saying AIDS is a specific judgment against homosexuality (not saying it’s not either), but I’m saying look at the broader picture. So much of any lifestyle lived in opposition against God and His order (not just a homosexual one), is filled often with shame, anguish, despair, depression, loneliness, low self-worth, etc. A life separated from God is its own punishment.
All the more reason we should reach out in love.
Romans 1:28-32 = Paul continues the logic to an ultimate conclusion. What happens to individuals and a society that has not only turned away from God, but also begun to see everything backward and to say right is wrong and wrong is right? God allows such to go fully its own way. Paul says that such is filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; and is full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; is made up of gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, prideful boasters, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, unwise, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful, and heartily approve those who go against the Word of God.
Again, all the more reason we are to take the gifts we been given, build up His Church, and go out into our towns, cities, and countries and reach the world with the true Gospel of grace.
We, the Church, need to clean our own houses and make sure none of the characteristics listed in verses 29-32 are descriptive of any of us.
