Daily Devotional-November 21st

November 21, 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.

Reflection:

• Paul’s words about civil authorities and governments are to be taken generally, because God has allowed them to exist for the good and order of society. However, there are many totalitarian governments and rulers who are oppressive and cruel to their citizens. There are also times when believers are encouraged by God to disobey the rulers if they propose and enforce policies that are diametrically opposed to God. We can think of examples in the bible such at Daniel and his friends who refused to bow down and worship a golden image of the king (Daniel 3), and Peter and the apostles refused to obey when they were told to stop teaching and preaching about Jesus (Acts 5:29). Those of us who are blessed to live in a democratic form of government should be grateful and responsible to participate in the process of electing officials and supporting laws that benefit the society as a whole and do not oppose God. We must seek God’s wisdom to be responsible citizens.
• What does Paul say believers should do to avoid fear of authority?
• What service to God do the civil authorities carry out (v. 4)?
• What are your thoughts about a Christian’s responsibility to pay the taxes they owe (vv. 6-7)?
• In what ways do you fulfill the law through love (vv. 9-10)?

Prayer: Lord, help me to obey the authorities in honor of you, and I pray that you guide them to fulfill your will. Give me wisdom to be subject to the governing authorities without ever compromising my devotion to you. Help me to always walk in truth and integrity. In Jesus’ name, amen.