Daily Devotional-November 18th

November 18, 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 longs for them (Israel) to be saved (v. 1). His heart breaks that they are so zealous for God, and yet their zeal comes of nothing because it is not based on the knowledge of the righteousness of God.  In our context, many people in our world can be very committed and sincere in their religion.  However, if their religion is not based on faith alone in Jesus Christ, but a righteousness based on works, then they too are zealous for not. They are in the same situation as Israel was (and is) when Paul longed for them to be saved.  If you are no longer ignorant of the “righteousness of God” (v. 3), thank the Lord right now for bringing you to faith in him.
• Is Jesus Christ the answer for both Jews and Gentiles (v. 4)?
• If someone endeavors to acquire a righteousness by keeping the commandments, then they must keep them perfectly in order to achieve some measure of righteousness and life (v. 5).  But is anyone able to perfectly keep the law? Consider what Paul said earlier in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
• There is no separate path of salvation for Jews. Jews and Gentiles alike must believe and place their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation (vv. 11-13).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that you will cause an awakening to righteous faith among the Jewish people. I pray that they may understand that saving faith is found only in Jesus. I pray for non-Jewish people to have that same awakening and understanding. Use me to announce the good news of the gospel to those who are without faith in Jesus. Give me courage and the will to do so. I confess that faith comes from hearing the gospel and hearing the gospel through the word of Jesus Christ (v. 17). In Jesus’ name, amen.