Understanding the Book of Romans

Climbing gigantic mountains, absailing steep cliff faces and surviving a ship wreck are the kind of daunting pictures we get when we attempt to understand the Book of Romans. This is the Apostle Paul's final letter that he wrote to the churches. This particular letter - you guessed it - was written to the church at Rome. This final letter, written in Paul's latter days, is like a composium of theological thought, that baffles most readers. So can we understand the Book of Romans?

Now, let me qualify. I don't intend at this point to offer great theological insight from what I have learnt from the book of Romans. I am very young into the journey of understanding much of Paul's writings. Though, here are some words from James Dunn from the Word Biblical Commentary in relation to the Book of Romans:
In the Book of Romans, "...we see the emergence of Christianity from Judaism actually taking place; we see Paul the Pharisee, Paul the apostle, caught in the tension between his Jewishness and the impact of the risen Christ, between his inability to escape from the Jewish conviction of God's special choice of and revelation to Israel and the impact of a gospel that came to him independently of his Jewishness and despite his Pharisaic zeal for the law. We see Paul the Jew wrestling with the implications of his own and his converts' experience of grace and Paul the Christian wrestling with the implications of his Jewish heritage..." (WBC, Romans 9-16: xvi).

Without delving into the special place that the Israelite people have before God, we can note the passion that Paul expresses about the good news of Jesus reaching everyone (Israelites and Gentiles). Paul writes in Romans:

Rom 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.
Rom 10:13 For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Rom 10:14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?
Rom 10:15 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 

Here Paul speaks of people 'going' with the message of the good news of Jesus. Paul also speaks of law and grace. He speaks of Adam sinning and so all have sinned (Romans 5). He highlights some great characteristics of a spirit filled life (Romans 12). He gives some encouraging words to people within the church at Rome (Romans 16).

In the days ahead, try and understand the Book of Romans. What is Paul saying in this letter?

Go deeper in Christ today!

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Living a Life of Grace - Response to @feathers1984

How does a believer live a life of grace when a church itself doesn't even talk or pride itself in grace?

Thanks @feathers1984 for the question!

I believe it is important that we live a life of grace. When someone cuts us off when driving, we show grace. When someone gossips about us behind our back, the next time we see them, we show grace. Surely a believer in Jesus, can and should show grace whether or not their particular church shows it? In fact, if you are showing grace and living a life of love and compassion to others, then part of YOUR church at least is living in grace? Right?

The difficulty arises when you are yearning to be obedient to Christ, and live a life worthy of the calling he has given you, yet others around you, including Church leadership may not be exhibiting that grace. Jesus definitely encountered that, when the Pharisees were whingeing about this 'Jesus of Nazareth' not following every single part of the Law of Moses - including healing on the Sabbath and eating with his disciples. How did Jesus handle it? Well, he showed a better way. He lived a better way, and his life was the personification of grace. What an example!

Maybe the most fitting words, come from the Apostle Paul. The words are simply these: 'Be strong in the grace.'
--> When someone whinges - be strong in the grace
--> When someone backstabs - be strong in the grace
--> When someone is hypocritical - be strong in the grace
--> When someone wrongly accuses you - turn the other cheek - and be strong in the grace.

Here's a prayer from Colossians 1:3-6 -- We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.

Lord help us! Hope this helps,

God bless,

Pete.


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