November 17, 2020
The epistle to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul to the church in the capital city of Rome. The date of the letter was most likely around 56 A.D., near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, while he was in Corinth. Paul had wanted to visit the believers in Rome for some time, however, he had not yet had the chance to do so. The letter afforded Paul the opportunity to introduce himself to the church, and to instruct them in essential truths of the gospel.
The church in Rome was probably founded by those who had come to faith in Christ on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Unlike many of the other churches that Paul wrote to, his aim was not primarily to correct wrong theology or sinful living on the part of the Roman Christians, but to further instruct the church in doctrinal truths and practical living in light of those truths.
The principal theme of Paul’s letter to the Romans is that God justifies guilty, helpless sinners by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. He dispels any notion that heaven and a relationship with God can be achieved through good works. Generally, the first eleven chapters of Romans are primarily theological while chapters 12-16 are more about practical Christian living and life in the church.
While the letter does contain some challenging passages that believers have debated, Paul addresses issues such as man’s sin and God’s wrath, justification by faith alone, the security of the believer’s salvation, sanctification, God’s sovereignty, God’s plan for Israel, the purpose of governing authorities, Christian living, and the proper use of one’s liberty in Christ.
It was while studying and teaching the book of Romans that a German Catholic priest, in the early 1500’s, came to understand Romans 1:17 in a brand new light. The words, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” led him to understand justification was by faith alone and not by works. God would so impact Martin Luther with these words that he became a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation.
Romans 9
God’s Sovereign Choice
1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea,
“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”
26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”
27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, 28 for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.” 29 And as Isaiah predicted,
“If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring,
we would have been like Sodom
and become like Gomorrah.”
Israel’s Unbelief
30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written,
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Reflection:
- List the things that belong to Israel (vv. 4-5).
- God can never be accused of having failed to fulfill his promises to Israel. Who are the true children of Abraham? Of God (vv. 6-8)?
- What does Paul say about any injustice on God’s part (v. 14)?
- When we may not understand or like the way God works and complain against him, what is this like according to Paul’s analogy in verses 19-22?
- Paul explains that by God extending his grace and mercy to Gentiles did not negate his promises to Israel. How do the words of Hosea and Isaiah, quoted by Paul, explain this?
- Reflect on 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for coming to me. For reaching out to me through the Holy Spirit. I thank you for adopting me as your child for all eternity. I praise you for you are sovereign and I can trust that you always work in the way that is right. When I do not understand the ways in which you work or the things you do, I can always trust your heart and love for me. Give me a burden for the lost and make me faithful to share your good news with those that I meet. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Heavenly Father,
As the sun rises today, I lift my hands and heart to you. Praise your Holy Name.
As the sun traverses the sky today, may I be found with my shoulder to the plow teaching, encouraging and motivating others in your ways and holy, righteous living.
I can’t do everything, Father. But because I can’t do everything, I refuse to do nothing. Guide me, enable me, strengthen me to use all my effort to help find one more lost soul for your son, Jesus Christ.
As the sun fades into the dusk tonight, may I fall to my knees thanking you, LORD, for another day.
For it is in the name of Jesus I pray,
Amen
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come to you each day for guidance and wisdom in all that I do and seek to do. You alone know what plans you have for me. Please help me do your will and may my actions be pleasing in your sight. I can only trust and obey for there is no other way. Help me to lead others to you as I go on my journey. May I be a blessing to them in some way as you would have me be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
By grace through faith……not by works that we have done ……but by His mercy. Caveat: we must believe in Him, repent and accept Him as Lord and Savior as the remedy for our sins past, present and future.
AMEN AND HALLELUJAH!!!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WORDS. I BELIEVE IN MY LORD AND SAVIOR THAT HE WILL ALWAYS PUT ME ON THE RIGHT TRACK. IN JESUS NAME I PRAY, AMEN
I believe in Him and I will not be disappointed!!
Praise you dear Lord for your provision, guidance, and word that is sharper than a two edged sword. Praise you for the leaders within our congregation who work to bring you glory. Hear their prayers dear Lord, bless the work of their hands. I lift before your throne those who are suffering with this virus and their loved ones. I pray that you touch our land and your people with healing. May you dear Lord be glorified by your provision!
I know that my good works are like filthy rags. Thank you for providing a way for me to know you Lord. A way for eternal salvation and an abundant life today. Today I choose righteousness, because you have chosen me, In Jesus’ name.