November 9, 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 1

Greeting

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Longing to Go to Rome

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,[e] as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Reflection:

  • To what extent does Paul want to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of Jesus’ name (vv.5-6)? Do you see yourself as part of God’s plan to bring the gospel to the nations?
  • Who did Paul expressly address his letter to (v. 7)? What did Paul specifically desire for them?
  • What was Paul grateful for as far as the believers in Rome were concerned (v. 8)?
  • Paul said he longed to see the believers in Rome and desired for them to mutually encourage one another (v. 12). Is there someone that you know that might need encouragement? Could you do something today to encourage them?
  • In this day of texts, tweets, and emails, very few write letters anymore. However, perhaps you could utilize a more personal method of communication to express your gratitude to God for someone, and reach out and encourage them?
  • Paul said he was not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Do you ever find yourself embarrassed or reluctant to share the gospel? God can change your heart if you simply come to him and admit your struggle.
  • Is God’s wrath revealed from heaven because of mankind’s ignorance or rebellion (v. 18)?
  • What does Paul say God did with those who remained stubbornly rebellious and defiant (v.24).
  • It is not difficult to see many of the same attitudes and behavior described by Paul in our world today. Pray that God will have mercy on us and that those who practice all means of unrighteousness will repent.

Prayer: Father, thank you for your forgiveness and mercy! Thank you for coming into my life and showing me that my justification comes only through faith in Jesus and his finished work on the cross. Help me to encourage other believers as Paul did. Never let me be ashamed of you or the gospel. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I might pray for those who are drowning in sin and rebellion against you. Give me compassion for those who are blinded by the evil one. Use me for your glory! In Jesus’ name, amen.

10 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-November 9th”

  1. Good morning Lord!
    You justify us through faith and by your grace we are saved. Your supernatural strength is at its most powerful in us when we acknowledge and accept our weakness. We thank you for your generosity and your steadfast love for us. We hear you knocking at the door. We are going to open that door and invite you in so that your word will abide in us and we will abide in you. All glory and praise be to the name of Jesus. Amen!

  3. Father,

    How can you use me to further your kingdom? What talents do I possess that another does not have?

    Father, I feel insignificant, useless, powerless.

    But Father, you qualify the called. Father, you use the willing. Father, all parts of the body are needed.

    Here I am, broken before your throne. I surrender all.

    As the sun rises today, may I go forth as a member of your army to do battle, to wage war, and to be victorious in Jesus’ name.

    Fill me, Father, anew and afresh with your Holy Spirit. Speak through me to teach, to encourage and to motivate others to live a holy and righteous life.

    May I mirror you today, Father, before a lost and fallen world. May others only see you shining through me. May a wanderer come to you today because of my witness.

    I will be careful to give you all the praise, all the glory, and all the honor. For it is in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, that I pray,

    Amen

  4. “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse “(Rom 1:20).
    Thank you Lord for creating all things to clearly communicate to us who you are. Give me the ability to see where you are at work today. Give me the obedience to go and the discipline to stay on task to complete your will.

  5. Thank you father for using me every morning to intercede in prayer for so many people on my prayer list. There are some I do not even know but have added and pray every morning for every one. I am going through one of the most difficult times of my life because I do not know when you will take my husband to heaven. I know that they are people I pray for and and pray for who are10 times worse then my situation I give them and my husband to you.

  7. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,[e] as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

  8. Dear Lord, I thank you how you continue to move behind the scenes helping your servants as they pursue the lost with your precious gospel. Father please soften their hearts and shine your light into their souls so they can see you and behold your righteousness that is way above any ability of humans to attain except by your Grace and faith. Help them and us understand thoroughly that it is only by your Grace through out faith that we are saved. The pope just gave a go ahead to legalizing homosexuality in outrageous and contrary assents. Lord please we pray protection on people who are being deceived by this false prophet, by people who feel powerless to change their wicked ways when the truth is that your grace is sufficient. Dear Lord please help us to preach the power of the gospel to the lost in new ways that can save them. The darkness around us is thickening overwhelming at times. How we long for and await your kingdom of righteousness . Bless us Lord and protect all your saints as we continue to strive for truth and in our struggle with the evil one. Our prayer is in the mighty name of Jesus our Christ.Amen!!!

  9. Dear Heavenly Father,
    The Great Commission tells us to spread the gospel to all corners of the world. Please help me to do my part by placing those in my path that need to hear the Word and give me the words that you would have me say. I want to be an instrument fir your glory. In Jesus’name. Amen.

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